Distinguished Young Women OF Hawaii


is part of a national scholarship program that promotes and rewards scholastics, leadership and talent in young women. Earn scholarships for higher education, personally develop through the DYW Life Skills Workshops, and make new friends from around the state.


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Photo of Erika Kwee
Erika Kwee
Distinguished Young Woman of Hawaii for 2023
State Program Information

Class of 2024 Program

Date: August 20, 2024

Where:
Location: Sacred Hearts Academy, Honolulu, HI

Tickets:
$TBA for Finals on Sunday, August 20, 2023 @ 1pm

Life-Changing Experience

College scholarships are awarded at the state level and millions in college-granted scholarships are available nationally. The state representative will advance to the national program for the opportunity to compete for cash tuition scholarships. To participate, you must be in your junior of high school. Participants are evaluated in the areas of: scholastics, interview, talent, self-expression, and fitness.


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2023 Distinguished Young Woman of Hawaii

Photo of Erika Kwee
Erika Kwee
FromHonolulu
University PreferenceMassachusetts Institute of Technology
Career GoalMechanical Engineer

2023 Distinguished Young Woman of Hawaii

Photo of Erika Kwee
Erika Kwee
From
Honolulu

University Preference
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Career Goal
Mechanical Engineer

Achievements:
American Red Cross Lifeguard CertificationExcellence Award in AP Physics 1&2 (2022) HMTA Violin Competition Level lV, 1st Place HMTA Violin Competition Young Artist Level, 1st Place National Honor Society Punahou Music School Honors Recognition (2020, 2021, 2022) Punahou Varsity Math Team 2nd Place in Oahu Mathematics League (2022) Ranked 5th in 2022 Hawaii Debate Tournament Recognition Award in AP U.S. History (2022) Recognition Awards in Math (2020, 2021, 2022)

Activites:
Physics Teaching AssistantConcertmaster of Hawaii Youth Symphony 1Concertmaster of Punahou Symphony OrchestraJapanese Immersion Teaching AssistantLincoln-Douglas Debate CaptainOcean Lifeguard - Assist in ocean recreation programsPeer Tutor in math, science, EnglishPunahou Chamber MusicPunahou Math TeamPunahou Music Club

Additional:
Hospital Volunteer in COVID-19 Testing Center (20 hrs)Japanese Immersion Teaching Assistant for elementary students (12 hrs)Ocean Lifeguard (130 hrs) Instructed ocean activities for elementary summer funPeer Learning Center Tutor (50 hrs) tutored in math, physics, chemistry, EnglishPunahou Carnival Haku Lei Booth Co-Chair (30 hrs)

2024 State Participants

Photo of Monica Abraham
Monica Abraham
CityHonolulu
University PreferenceIowa State University
Career GoalPhysical Therapist
TalentSpoken Word
Photo of Kylee Amoroso-Kawamoto
Kylee Amoroso-Kawamoto
CityKaneohe
University PreferenceUniversity of Pennsylvania / University of Oregon
Career GoalChild And Adolescent Psychiatry
TalentContemporary Dance
Photo of Reagan Beissel
Reagan Beissel
CityKailua
University PreferenceVanderbilt University
Career GoalBiomedical Researcher
TalentVocal
Photo of Esther Chan
Esther Chan
CityHonolulu
University PreferenceHarvard University, Stanford University
Career GoalStem Entrepreneur
TalentSpoken Word
Photo of Alana Clayson
Alana Clayson
CityHonolulu
University PreferenceBoston University, New York University
Career GoalActing, Musical Theatre
TalentTheatre Vocal
Photo of Madison Iwashita
Madison Iwashita
CityHonolulu
University PreferenceGeorgetown University
Career GoalU.S. Diplomat In East Asia
TalentContemporary Dance
Photo of Jaela Kepaa-Nieto
Jaela Kepaa-Nieto
CityEwa Beach
University PreferenceUniversity of Hawaii / University of California Northridge
Career GoalProject Manager
TalentHip Hop Performance
Photo of Miya Matsumoto
Miya Matsumoto
CityMililani
University PreferenceUniversity of California, Irvine
Career GoalAnesthesiologist
TalentDance
Photo of Alana Jeanne Mendoza
Alana Jeanne Mendoza
CityWaipahu
University PreferenceChaminade OR University of California, Irvine
Career GoalClinical Psychologist
TalentTahitian Dancing
Photo of Clarisa Ruiter
Clarisa Ruiter
CityHonolulu
University PreferenceUniversity of California, Los Angeles
Career GoalComputer Game Designer
TalentVocal
Photo of Kim Ashley Sunio
Kim Ashley Sunio
CityHonolulu
University PreferenceStanford University
Career GoalTech Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, Computer Scientist
TalentFingerstyle Guitar
Photo of Michelle Wong
Michelle Wong
CityHonolulu
University Preference Hawaii Pacific University
Career GoalAnimator
TalentSketching
Photo of Rhiannon Wong
Rhiannon Wong
CityWaipahu
University PreferenceOccidental College
Career GoalPhysician
TalentTumbling
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