Three locals represent Whitman County in DYW

PULLMAN—The Washington State Distinguished Young Women (DYW) Program sees its 66th annual scholarship program as eight young women compete Saturday, August 5, at R.R. Jones Theatre in Daggy Hall on the Washington State University campus at 4 p.m., with doors opening at 3 p.m.

Eight young women will compete to represent the State of Washington at the 2024 America’s DYW Program happening in June 2024 in Mobile, Alabama.

The current DYW Representative is Olivia Ng of Colfax and the DYW who will compete this year include Beth Okamoto, daughter of Brad, and Kristi Okamotoa, of Coulee City. Okamoto will represent Almira Coulee Harline.

Gracie Wessels, daughter of Shane and Holli Wessels, will represent Clarkston. Kate Schultheis, daughter of Christopher and Jana Schulteheis, will represent Colton, and Audrey Maryott, daughter of Frank and Shannon Maryott, will represent Pullman.

DYW of Garfield-Palouse Ainsley Sievers, daughter of Timothy and Tracy Sievers of Palouse, will compete this year.

Also competing from Moses Lake, Addy Carlile, daughter of Logan and Mikey Carlile; Sydney Ohlemann, of Rosyln, daughter of Karl and Stacey Ohlemann, will represent Ellensburg; and Kaylie Bealey, daughter of John and Jana Beasley, will represent Spokane.

The DYW will arrive in Pullman Wednesday, August 2, and meet individually with a panel of judges on Saturday morning. The judges will have evaluated for the scholastic achievement category earlier.

Pullman Program Co-Chair Danielle Kallaher stated that the program aims to emphasize education by providing scholarships to outstanding young women in high school. As well as encourage personal development in all young people.

Tickets are available for purchase at the door and will help fund scholarships. Those interested in donating towards scholarships can mail donations to Distinguished Young Women of Washington, P.O. Box 332, Pullman, Wash., 99163, anytime.

The free DYW program was founded in 1958. It encourages participants to reach their full individual potential, empowers young women by providing over $1 billion in scholarship opportunities, and connects with a nationwide network of women.

Participants develop self-confidence and participate in Life Skills Workshops which prepare them for success after high school.

National sponsors of the program include Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Mobile County, City of Mobile, Alabama Power Foundation, Master Boat Builders, Gant Travel Management, Regions Financial Corporation, John Cauley Jeweler, Jostens, and Alabama Media Group.