BEDFORD, Ind. — High school seniors across Lawrence County are preparing to showcase their academic achievements, talents, and leadership skills through the Distinguished Young Women (DYW) program, a national scholarship initiative designed to equip young women for life after graduation.
The Distinguished Young Women of Lawrence County 2027 graduating class will be honored Saturday, November 14th. The program will be held in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Bedford North Lawrence High School. The entry fee of only $5.00 can be paid on site.
The 2027 DYI contestants that will be participating in no particluar order are:
- Marissa Blais
- Parents: Justin and Chasey Blais
- Mitchell High School
- College Choice: Undecided
- Career Ambition: Probation Officer
- Abygale Terrell
- Parents: Shannon and Ashley Terrell
- Mitchell High School
- College Choice: Indiana University
- Career Ambition: Dermatologist
- Audrey Hoffman
- Parents: Scott and Amanda Hoffman
- Bedford North Lawrence High School
- College Choice: Purdue University
- Career Ambition: Agriculturist
- Kale Woodward
- Parents: Kelli Terrell and Nathan Woodward
- Bedford North Lawrence High School
- College Choice: Undecided
- Career Ambition: Mechanical Engineering
- Rilynn Fountain
- Parents: Dane and Whitney Fountain
- Mitchell High School
- College Choice: Butler University
- Career Ambition: Biologist
- Holly Hall
- Parents: Shannon and Michelle Hall
- Mitchell High School
- College Choice: Purdue University
- Career Ambition: Veterinarian
- Kelsie Key
- Parents: Caleb and Karyn Key
- Bedford North Lawrence High School
- College Choice: Harding University
- Career Ambition: Occupational Therapy
- Adalynn McIntosh
- Parents: Brandon and Lori McIntosh
- Bedford North Lawrence High School
- College Choice: Western Governors University
- Career Ambition: Elementary Education
- Jane Bingham
- Parents: Alida and Aaron Bingham
- Bedford North Lawrence High School
- College Choice: Indiana University
- Career Ambition: Musical Theater
- Amelia Manke
- Parents: Gerald and Dawn Manke
- Bedford North Lawrence High School
- College Choice: Vanderbilt University
- Career Ambition: Environmental Lawyer
- Avery Brown
- Parents: Klent and Kimberly Brown
- Bedford North Lawrence High School
- College Choice: Purdue University
- Career Ambition: Nursing
- Avah Cooper
- Parents: Thomas and Julia Hamilton
- Mitchell High School
- College Choice: University of Southern Indiana
- Career Ambition: Health Care Social Work
- Kinleigh Root
- Distinguished Young Woman 2026
- Currently enrolled at Indiana University Kokomo
Operating across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., Distinguished Young Women awards approximately $1 billion in college scholarship opportunities nationwide each year. Open to female high school seniors, the program blends financial assistance with personal development and life skills training.
Participants are evaluated by a panel of judges across five distinct categories:
- Scholastics: 25%
- Interview: 25%
- Talent: 20%
- Fitness: 15%
- Self-Expression: 15%
In addition to competing for scholarships, participants are introduced to DYW’s “Be Your Best Self” outreach program. Through workshops and online resources, students build practical skills in public speaking, interviewing, self-confidence, and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle, tools meant to serve them well beyond high school and college.
The winner of the local Lawrence County program will advance to represent the community at the Indiana State Distinguished Young Women program in February. State winners from across the country will then travel to Mobile, Alabama, in June, following their high school graduation, to compete in the National Finals.
