Distinguished Young Women OF North Carolina


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 Haynes Lewis
Haynes Lewis
Distinguished Young Woman of North Carolina for 2024
State Program Information

Class of 2024 Program

Date TBA

Where:
Location TBA

Tickets:
$TBA for Preliminaries on Date and Time TBA
$TBA for Finals on Date and Time TBA

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 North Carolina

Photo of Haynes Lewis
Haynes Lewis
FromGreenville
University PreferenceDuke University
Career GoalPhysician

2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Greenville 2024

Photo of Haynes Lewis
Haynes Lewis
From
Greenville

University Preference
Duke University

Career Goal
Physician

Achievements:
NC Governor's School in DanceSummer Ventures In Science and Math with a focus on BiotechnologyPresidential Service Award for >100 documented service hoursTop 4% of my class2nd Highest class GPAAP Scholar with DistinctionCum Laude SocietyLeadership and Excellence in Dance AwardGrowth in Theater AwardNatl Junior & Natl Honor Society Member

Activites:
Company IV Dancer (highest company) at NC Academy of Dance ArtsDressing Room and Class Assistant at the NC Academy of Dance ArtsStudents Effectively Realizing their Value Advisory Council Member and Social Media CoordinatorArendell Parrott Academy Peer Leadership ProgramSGA SecretaryArendell Parrott Academy Upper School Dance EnsembleArendell Parrott Academy Thespian Society Member and Vice-PresidentArendell Parrott Academy Leadership Team

Additional:
"Sweets Stand" to benefit the Children's Miracle Network (over $35,000 raised)APA SERV Advisory Council Member - coordinate service education and opportunitiesSelected for APA trip to Florida to serve at the Give Kids The World Nonprofit Selected for APA trip to Puerto Rico for Hurricane relief and clean up Selected for APA trip to Costa Rica for Community and Wildlife focused Service Initiatives

2025 State Participants

Photo of Sophia Akhter
Sophia Akhter
CityGreenville
University PreferenceDuke/UNC
Career GoalMedical School, Potentially A Surgeon
TalentTap Dance
Photo of Rani Akki
Rani Akki
CityGreensboro
University PreferenceDuke
Career GoalI Want To Major In Computer/Data Science And Minor In Computational Biology And Bioinformatics. In The Future, I Want To Pursue A Career As A Biostatistician And Create Programs And Statistical Methods To Advance Biological Research, Particularly In Public Health.
TalentTraditional Bharatanatyam Dance
Photo of Susan Bailey
Susan Bailey
CityRoxboro
University PreferenceElon University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke University
Career GoalPediatric Psychiatrist
TalentSelf Choreographed Contemporary Dance
Gabriella Carrasquillo
CityGoldsboro
University PreferenceDuke University
Career GoalPre Med/Neuroscience
TalentContemporary Dance
Photo of Ema Cocar
Ema Cocar
CityCornelius
University PreferenceDuke University
Career GoalArt History Doctorate Degree And Become An Art History College Professor
TalentDance
Photo of Lillian Daughety
Lillian Daughety
CityKinston
University PreferenceECU Honors College
Career GoalOrthodontist
TalentTap
Photo of Allie Frerking
Allie Frerking
CityCary
University PreferenceBelmont
Career GoalMusical Theatre Actress
TalentSinging
Photo of Madeline Hart
Madeline Hart
CityRocky Mount
University PreferenceUNC Chapel Hill
Career GoalPhysician’s Assistant
TalentSinging
Photo of Christina Haynes
Christina Haynes
CityAsheville
University PreferenceBelmont University, Florida State University
Career GoalParalegal Or High School Choral Director
TalentVoice
Photo of Rylee Heafner
Rylee Heafner
CityBelmont
University PreferenceEast Carolina University
Career GoalMedical Field
TalentDance
Photo of Kayla Jennings
Kayla Jennings
CityChapel Hill
University PreferencePatrick Henry College
Career GoalHenry Adams Rightly Noted, “A Teacher Affects Eternity: He Can Never Tell Where His Influence Stops.” After High School, I Plan To Pursue A Degree In American Politics And Policy And Use My Knowledge Of Government To Teach Students In Wake County, North Carolina. An App Degree Is Highly Versatile And Can Enhance Many School Subjects Including History, Government, Debate. While I Am Excited To Pursue Teaching, That Is Not My Only Goal. Ever Since I Was Little, I’ve Loved Writing, And This Love Has Not Waned With Age. The Older I’ve Gotten, The More I’ve Realized How Writing Can Be A Powerful Tool With Which To Inform And Shape Culture. I Hope To Grow In My Story Telling Skills With The Goal Of Being A Traditionally Published Author And Sharing Heart Warming, Character Challenging, Inspirational Tales With Readers All Over The Nation. I Believe We Have Each Been Created With A Purpose, And We All Have The Opportunity To Touch Hearts And Engage Minds Through The Professions We Pursue. My Hope Is To Use The Gifts I Have Been Blessed With To Equip Others With The Tools And Encouragement To Positively Impact Those Around Them.
TalentPiano (Performance)
Photo of Marni Kim
Marni Kim
CityChapel Hill
University PreferenceNorthwestern University, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Columbia University, Pomona College, University of Southern California, University of Notre Dame
Career GoalConstitutional Attorney/Policymaker
TalentSinging
Photo of Diya Kosana
Diya Kosana
CityWaxhaw
University PreferenceDuke or UNC Chapel Hill
Career GoalObtain A Bs In Biology And Become A Physician Scientist.
TalentDance
Photo of Gwen Lewis
Gwen Lewis
CityCharlotte
University PreferenceUniversity of Miami
Career GoalChemical Engineering
TalentDance
Photo of Zara Miller
Zara Miller
CityDurham
University PreferenceGeorgetown University; UVA Jefferson Scholars; Columbua/Trinity College Dublin Dual BA
Career GoalDiplomat Or Us Ambassador
TalentSpoken Word Extemporaneous Speaking
Photo of Andrea Narvaez-Santos
Andrea Narvaez-Santos
CityRutherfordton
University PreferenceColumbia University
Career GoalIn The Future My Career Goal Is To Continue To Act While Branching Into The Corporate World With Marketing And Finance.
TalentVocal Presentation
Photo of Casey  Neal
Casey  Neal
CityRoanoke Rapids
University PreferenceUNC Chapel Hill or East Carolina University
Career GoalLabor And Delivery Nurse
TalentClogging Dance
Photo of Rachel Noble
Rachel Noble
CityKinston
University PreferenceNorth Carolina State University
Career GoalAgricultural Lawyer
TalentSpoken Word
Photo of Mary Liza Sessoms
Mary Liza Sessoms
CityTarboro
University PreferenceNorth Carolina State University
Career GoalElementary School Teacher
TalentDance
Photo of Erica  Smith
Erica  Smith
CityTrent Woods
University PreferenceDartmouth College
Career GoalNeurosurgeon
TalentSinging
Photo of Maggie Teel
Maggie Teel
CityGoldsboro
University PreferenceDartmouth
Career GoalNeuroscience
TalentSinging
Photo of Olivia  Walker
Olivia  Walker
CityReidsville
University PreferenceEast Carolina University/UNC at Chapel Hill
Career GoalMusic Therapist
TalentMusical
Photo of K’Naya Williams
K’Naya Williams
CityHenderson
University PreferenceAir Force Academy
Career GoalUnited States Air Force Pilot
TalentRifle Demonstration
Photo of Shyann  Williford
Shyann  Williford
CityBahama
University PreferenceAveda Cosmetology
Career GoalCosmetologist
TalentContemporary Dance
Photo of Avery Wittig
Avery Wittig
CityTarboro
University PreferenceNorth Carolina State University
Career GoalMechanical Engineer
TalentTap Dance
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