Molly Kate Kestner is back and performing once more at the Distinguished Young Women of Minnesota state finals.

Austin’s Molly Kate Kestner, the 2014 Distinguished Young Woman of Minnesota and budding songwriter, recording artist and YouTube sensation with the song “His Daughter,” will share her songwriting and her voice at the 2015 Distinguished Young Women of Minnesota State Finals.

High School girls from across Minnesota will join together in Apple Valley for the Distinguished Young Women of Minnesota state finals, which will be at 7 p.m. March 7, at Eastview High School. Participants will compete for $4,300 in cash scholarships and the opportunity to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Minnesota.

The program is open to the public. To purchase tickets to this event, please call 612-388-1332. Ticket prices are $20 at the door.

Kestner will entertain that night as she sings her original song “His Daughter,” which has nearly 12 million hits on YouTube, and also “Lay Me Down” by Sam Smith. Kestner is currently a student at North Central University in St. Paul.

Special entertainment will also be presented by Leeza Ali, 2011 Distinguished Young Woman of Minnesota, and the Premiere Dance Company of Footsteps Dance Studio of Burnsville.

Distinguished Young Women of Minnesota also welcomes the following state participants to Apple Valley: Marin Fischer of Willmar, Emma Howell of Owatonna, Emily Clarke of Ivanhoe, Elizabeth Deysach of Eagan and Alyssa Otto of South Ivanhoe.

For more information on Kestner and the Distinguished Young Women of Minnesota Program, contact state program Coordinator Carol Rubino at minnesota@distinguishedyw.org.