Distinguished Young Women OF Iowa


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 Anika Yadav
Anika Yadav
Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa for 2024
State Program Information

Class of 2025 Program

DATE: January 25, 2025

LOCATION: Iowa Cats Dance Company, Clive, IA

Tickets:
$10 for Adults
$8 children 5-12
Children under 5 free

This will be an all day program for our participants.

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 senior year of high school. Participants are evaluated in the areas of: scholastics, interview, talent, self-expression, and fitness.


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2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa

Photo of Anika Yadav
Anika Yadav
FromWaukee
University PreferenceStanford University
Career GoalEntrepreneurship, Public Policy

2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa

Photo of Anika Yadav
Anika Yadav
From
Waukee

University Preference
Stanford University

Career Goal
Entrepreneurship, Public Policy

Achievements:
US Senate Youth Prog IA DelegateHerbert Hoover Uncommon Student AwardWorld Food Prize Global Borlaug ScholarAssoc for Career & Tech Educ Natl Reg 3 Outstanding Bus Educ StudentNatl League of American Pen WomenAP ScholarYouth Leadership AwardNatl Mental Health Conf mPower Award nomineeScholastic Art & Writing Honorable Mention

Activites:
Board Advisor at Pursuit of Innovation Pi515Future Business Leaders of America, Natl North Central Reg VP, IA State PresIA Youth Advisory Council, Educ Comm ChairIA Youth Congress, Student Voice Comm ChairGirls Nation, Maj Floor Ldr & President's Council of Economic Advisers ChairIA Girls State, City Mayor & Education Party Platform ChairIndo-American PAC Iowa Board, Event Moderator, Student of the YearuVoice Youth Philanthropy Board, Student Leadership ChairWaukee Comm Schools Student Equity Ambssdr

Additional:
FIRST Lego League Youth Mentor guiding elem & middle schoolers in robotics comps & building student-led comm projMental Health Pub Svc Announcement, worked w/20+ IA orgs to raise awarenessuVoice philanthropy work supporting Polk Co orgs' youth-centered proj w/$10,000 grant fundingEverybody Wins! Volunteer, virtually read & helped distribute 200+ free books in Des Moines Met AreaIndian Heritage Cultural Center weekly volunteering & food service

2024 State Participants

Photo of Olivia Marti
Olivia Marti
CityWaukon
University PreferenceIowa State University
Career GoalAgronomy/Agricultural Business
TalentPresentation
Photo of Jenny Nguyen
Jenny Nguyen
CitySioux City
University PreferenceNYU/UCLA/SFSU
Career GoalPsychologist
TalentDance
Photo of Anika Yadav
Anika Yadav
CityWaukee
University PreferenceStanford University
Career GoalEntrepreneurship, Public Policy
TalentSpoken Word
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