Distinguished Young Women OF Kentucky


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.


Learn more

Photo of Ellen Fei
Ellen Fei
Distinguished Young Woman of Kentucky for 2024
State Program Information

Class of 2024 Program

January 12-13, 2024

Where:
Singletary Center for the Arts, Lexington

Times:
1st Prelim - Fri. January 12 at 7:00 pm EST
2nd Prelim - Sat. January 13 at 11:00 am EST
Finals - Sat. January 13 at 7:00 pm EST

Tickets:
Check back for prices, on-sale dates and times, and ticket purchasing link.

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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2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Kentucky

Photo of Ellen Fei
Ellen Fei
FromLexington
University PreferenceJohns Hopkins University
Career GoalPhysician

2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Kentucky

Photo of Ellen Fei
Ellen Fei
From
Lexington

University Preference
Johns Hopkins University

Career Goal
Physician

Achievements:
TSA: National & State Champion - Software Development (2023)​​Beta Club: 4th Place National Finalist, State Champion - Performing Arts Solo, Duo, Trio Instrumentalist (2023)Speech Team: Champion - Informative Speaking - Au Revoir National Invitational Tournament (2022)TSA: 8th Place (2022) & 9th Place (2023) National Finalist - Essays on TechnologyTSA: 10th Place National Finalist - Debating Technological Issues (2023)Beta Club: 5th Place National Finalist, State Champion - Speech Division II (2023)Science Fair: State 2nd Place, District & Regional 1st Place - Systems Software Category (2023)Science Olympiad: State 2nd Place (2022), 3rd Place (2023) - Anatomy & PhysiologyScience Olympiad: State 3rd Place - Disease Detectives (2022)National Merit Semifinalist

Activites:
Technology Student Association (TSA), State SecretaryScience OlympiadDunbar Cultural Society, PresidentBeta Club, Convention ChairDunbar Medical Society, PresidentSpeech and Debate TeamStudent Council, TreasurerScience National Honor Society, Leadership TeamSpanish Honor Society, HistorianNational Honor Society

Additional:
STARTALK Chinese ProgramBluegrass Youth ArtistsFriends in MusicToys with a Purpose (toy drive)Cultural event guzheng performances

2024 State Participants

Photo of Olivia Ashley
Olivia Ashley
CityLouisville
University PreferenceIndiana University or University of Missouri
Career GoalBroadcast Journalist
TalentVocal
Photo of Amira Bowman
Amira Bowman
CityLebanon
University PreferenceBellarmine University
Career GoalA Career In Public Policy
TalentTap Dance
Photo of Molly Brady
Molly Brady
CitySpringfield
University PreferenceUniversity of Kentucky
Career GoalPharmacist
TalentPiano
Photo of Kyra  Cain
Kyra  Cain
CityLiberty
University PreferenceAsbury University
Career GoalKyra Plans To Earn A Degree In Exercise Science, Pre Physical Therapy. Then Go On To Complete School To Become A Physical Therapist.
TalentTheatrical Monologue
Photo of Rachel Cavanah
Rachel Cavanah
CityHopkinsville
University PreferenceBall State University
Career GoalI Would Love To Work In Musical Theater Professionally.
TalentMusical Theater Vocal
Photo of Libby Clifton
Libby Clifton
CityMorganfield
University PreferenceMurray State University
Career GoalAgricultural Sales Representative
TalentVocal
Photo of Shelby Cole
Shelby Cole
CityWest Liberty
University PreferenceMorehead State University
Career GoalVeterinarian
TalentBallet En Pointe
Photo of Ellen Fei
Ellen Fei
CityLexington
University PreferenceJohns Hopkins University
Career GoalPhysician
TalentGuzheng
Photo of Elisabeth Gifford
Elisabeth Gifford
CitySalt Lick
University Preference
Career GoalCosmetologist
TalentBallet
Photo of Madelyn  Goeing
Madelyn  Goeing
CityWinchester
University PreferenceUniversity of Kentucky
Career GoalMy Career Goals Are To Become A Registered Nurse And Then Later Advance To A Nurse Practitioner In Hopes Of Owning My Own Practice.
TalentAcro Dance
Photo of Samantha Gourd
Samantha Gourd
CityMount Washington
University PreferenceCampbellsville University
Career GoalMajor In Social Work With A Minor In Psychology. Love To Become A Family Resource And Youth Service Center Coordinator.
TalentJazz Dance
Photo of Madison Guse
Madison Guse
CityDanville
University PreferenceLipscomb University
Career GoalPediatric Nurse
TalentPiano
Photo of Chloe Hall
Chloe Hall
CityCampbellsville
University PreferenceUniversity of Kentucky
Career GoalDentist
TalentVocal
Photo of Lauren Harrod
Lauren Harrod
CityMidway
University PreferenceUniversity of Mississippi
Career GoalDouble Major In International Affairs And French With A Minor In Intelligence And Security Studies
TalentJazz Dance
Photo of Hannah Hash
Hannah Hash
CityVersailles
University PreferenceWestern Kentucky University
Career GoalAttorney
TalentContemporary Dance
Photo of Wittley Jacobs
Wittley Jacobs
CityMount Sterling
University PreferenceUniversity of Kentucky
Career GoalPhysical Therapist Or Optometrist
TalentTumbling
Photo of Olivia  Jefferson
Olivia  Jefferson
CityBowling Green
University PreferenceSewanee: The University of the South
Career GoalNeurology
TalentTap Dance
Photo of Meredith Kelley
Meredith Kelley
CityProvidence
University PreferenceUniversity of Kentucky
Career GoalAgricultural Sales Representative
TalentBallet En Pointe
Photo of Claire  Larmour
Claire  Larmour
CityNicholasville
University PreferenceUniversity of Kentucky
Career GoalSocial Media Marketing / Interior Design
TalentContemporary Dance
Photo of Natalie Northcutt
Natalie Northcutt
CityMorehead
University PreferenceUniversity of Kentucky
Career GoalFuneral Director
TalentPiano
Photo of Claire-Elizabeth Patterson
Claire-Elizabeth Patterson
CityHenderson
University PreferenceUniversity of Cincinnati and Shenandoah University
Career GoalMusical Theatre Bfa With A Minor In Dance And Arts Administration
TalentSinging Ventriloquism
Photo of Kylie Pirtle
Kylie Pirtle
CityRichmond
University PreferenceUndecided
Career GoalLawyer
TalentTap Dance
Photo of Madison Prather
Madison Prather
CityWallingford
University PreferenceMorehead State University
Career GoalBecoming A Lawyer Then Open My Own Firm In Florida.
TalentLyrical Dance
Photo of Sophia Price
Sophia Price
CityOlive Hill
University PreferenceMorehead State University
Career GoalVeterinary Technology
TalentPiano
Photo of Claire Robison
Claire Robison
CityScottsville
University PreferenceFreed Hardeman University
Career GoalBusiness/Marketing
TalentContemporary Dance
Photo of Ainsley Roby
Ainsley Roby
CityBardstown
University PreferenceWestern Kentucky University
Career GoalLicensed Architect
TalentPiano
Photo of Karlie Sims
Karlie Sims
CityLawrenceburg
University PreferenceUniversity of Kentucky
Career GoalMedical Field Pediatrics
TalentTrumpet
Photo of Danielle (Dani) Story
Danielle (Dani) Story
CityStanford
University PreferenceEastern Kentucky University
Career GoalOptometrist Or Travel Nurse
TalentVocal
Photo of Jillian Grace  Thompson
Jillian Grace  Thompson
CitySomerset
University PreferenceUndecided
Career GoalLawyer
TalentDance And Tumbling
Photo of Alyssa Walker
Alyssa Walker
CityGreensburg
University PreferenceWestern Kentucky University
Career GoalBusiness Owner And/Or Career In Performing Arts
TalentContemporary Dance
Photo of Lindsey Werner
Lindsey Werner
CityFrankfort
University PreferenceUniversity of Kentucky
Career GoalMarketing
TalentContemporary Dance
Photo of Hannah Yates
Hannah Yates
CityShelbyville
University PreferenceTemple University, University of Louisville
Career GoalClinical Psychologist With A Doctorate In Psych
TalentVocal
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