With applications examined and hopefuls interviewed, this year's Hugh O'Brian Leadership Award winners have been announced.

The 2014 award was presented to Dawson County High School sophomore Annabella Hines during the Dec. 8 Dawson County Board of Education meeting.

"Annabella is an honor student, member of the Beta Club, marching band, jazz band and a Juniorette, the high school group closely associated with the Woman's Club," said Priscilla Taylor, one of the Woman's Club representatives present at the meeting. "We're very proud to have a Juniorette as a winner."

Hines is also an accomplished dog handler and plans to dual enroll at the University of North Georgia in her junior year to obtain early completion of high school while gaining college credits.

Presented annually by the Dawson County Woman's Club, the award recognizes outstanding students for their leadership and service to community.

"The Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation has been in existence for more than 50 years," Taylor said. "It is the top youth leadership development organization in the country."

Founded in 1958 by actor Hugh O'Brian, the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation mission is to inspire and develop our global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service and innovation, according to Taylor.

Sophomores Isabelle Queen and Sydney Davis were named as alternates to Hines.

Queen is an honor student, Beta Club member and sophomore class treasurer. She is also a Juniorette and is involved in basketball, cross country, Student Government Association and Future Business Leaders of America. She plans to become involved in the medical field.

Davis is also an honor student and Beta Club member. She is a competitive cheerleader and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Future Business Leaders of America. She volunteers her time to help children. Her future plans are to be an orthopedic surgeon.

The winner of the award receives a scholarship, as well as the opportunity to attend the Hugh O'Brian Youth Seminar at Berry College in Rome.

Should the winner not attend, one of the alternates will attend in her place.