CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
LEE COUNTY — The Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) of Lee County for the Class of 2025 was named on June 29, at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. In total, the program awarded $10,500 in college scholarships. Additionally, Hood College, the University of West Alabama and Northwestern State University of Louisiana provided additional college-granted scholarships to participants.
Sara Kate Speakman of Lee-Scott Academy was named the new DYW of Lee County and received $4,650 in program scholarships. She will compete in January 2025 for the title of Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama.
Riley Yates of Auburn High School was named the first alternate and received $2,850 in scholarships, and Hannah Hines of Auburn High School was named the second alternate and received $1,600 in scholarships.
The DYW of Lee County program awarded three scholarships in each program category: scholastics, interview, talent, fitness, and self-expression. Two scholarships were awarded to participants for superior community service records, and two scholarships were awarded for writing an essay on striving to be your best self. The participants selected one participant who best represents the ideals of the DYW program to receive the Spirit Award. The full list of award recipients is below:
Scholastics Awards: Harper Olsen, Sara Kate Speakman, and Margie Grace Wilder
Interview Awards: Hannah Hines, Sara Kate Speakman, and Margie Grace Wilder
Talent Awards: Stella George, Sara Kate Speakman, and Riley Yates
Fitness Awards: Kyndall Brundidge, Sara Kate Speakman, and Riley Yates
Self-Expression Awards: Hannah Hines, Sara Kate Speakman, and Riley Yates
Be Your Best Self Essay Awards: Hallie Herring and Sara Kate Speakman
Community Service Awards: Hannah Hines and Riley Yates
Spirit Award Winner: Sara Kate Speakman
ABOUT DISTINGUISHED YOUNG WOMEN
The Distinguished Young Women Program, originally called America’s Junior Miss, was founded in 1958 in Mobile, Alabama, to provide higher education scholarships for young women.
