Distinguished Young Women OF Iowa At-Large


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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Sarah Abdullah
Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa At-Large for 2023
Sanya Oli
Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa At-Large for 2023
Allie Schuetze
Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa At-Large for 2023
Photo of Alina Markutsya
Alina Markutsya
Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa At-Large for 2023
Lidya Tadesse
Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa At-Large for 2023
Program Information

Class of 2024 Program

Date January 6, 2024

Where:
IA CATS Dance Studio, Clive, IA

Tickets:
$10 - adults 13+
$ 8 - Children 5-12
Under 5 - free

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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2023 Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa At-Large

2024 Local Participants


These participants will take part in the up-coming local program.

Participants

2023 Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa At-Large

Sarah Abdullah
From
Bettendorf

University Preference

Career Goal

Achievements:
Academic Excellence National Honor Society Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish

Activites:
Above The Barre Dance Academy Elite Team MemberDance InstructorPleasant Valley Platinum Dance TeamVolunteer tutor

Additional:
I have volunteered at the local food bank to distribute food to those in need.I volunteer tutor students with educational hindrances at my elementary school.

2023 Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa At-Large

Sanya Oli
From
Marion

University Preference

Career Goal

Achievements:
Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student: Based on success/impact of community 4x Academic Letter with Distinction Winner (2019-2022): 4.0+ GPA AP Scholar with distinction: 3.5 Average in 5+ AP tests Academic All-Conference (4x Swimming) Iowa Girls State Delegate: Picked to represent my city all expense p KCRG Student of the Month: Selected from nominees in grades k-12th Leadership for Five Seasons award (picked for leadership excellence) Lenox Hill Neurosurgery BRAINterns Summer 2020 Program Award National Council on Youth Leadership: Youth Salute Award National Honor Society inductee based on service & character

Activites:
Certified Nurse Assistant at Nursing Home HOSA: Future Health Professionals (State of Iowa President and School Intern for Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley (Regional Recruitment Head of IIowa Youth Congress Member (Youth Advocacy Group for Iowa Legislators)Mayor’s Youth Council (Picked from all high schoolers in my city) Mental Health Matters (Club Founder and Leadership Team) Molecular Cell Biology Research Intern at Local CollegeScience Olympiad (Captain)Student Ambassadors: School Welcoming Committee (Co-President) Varsity Swimming (9th-12th)

Additional:
Food Pantry Organizer. Collect donations and organize for people in need. Mercy Hospital Volunteer. Screen vistors for covid-19 symptoms. 50+ hours. Red Cross Volunteer.Organize blood drives.Call 500+ past donors. Check them in.School Tour Guide. Gave 100+ tours to new students through grades 9th-12th. Toys for Tots Volunteer. Shopped from over 50 kids from low income families.

2023 Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa At-Large

Allie Schuetze
From
Council Bluffs

University Preference

Career Goal

Achievements:

Activites:

Additional:

2023 Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa At-Large

Photo of Alina Markutsya
Alina Markutsya
From
Ames

University Preference
University of Pennsylvania

Career Goal
Financial Analyst

Achievements:
3rd Place Regional Winner of Junior Science and Humanities Symposium 2022 4-time Qualifier to the National Gymnastics Championships DECA International Career Development Conference Qualifier Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student Finalist Junior Science and Humanities Symposium National Qualifier President of Ames DECA Speaker of the House - Iowa American Legion Auxiliary Girls State State Diving Qualifier and Top 15 Finisher Vice President of Ames National Honor Society Vice President of Leadership of Iowa DECA

Activites:
Gymnastics - Level 10 National Competitive GymnastCommunity Service - Free gymnastics clinic for low-income householdsDECA - Iowa DECA VP of Leadership and Ames DECA President2022 Iowa America Legion Auxiliary Girls' StaterGymnastics InstructorLeader/Mentor of Science Fair at the Ames Middle SchoolMusic - Flute, Violin, and Saxaphone PlayerNational Honor SocietyResearch - Student Researcher, State/Regional WinnerVarsity Diver and Track Runner

Additional:
Co-host of a radio segment for Ukrainians and their relativesCreated and led a free gymnastics clinic for kids from low-income householdsReiman Gardens VolunteerTaught Russian Class every Saturday for elementary-aged kidsTutored kids through the Harrison Barnes Reading Program

2023 Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa At-Large

Lidya Tadesse
From
Sioux City

University Preference

Career Goal

Achievements:
National AP Scholar DistinctionAll-State Short FilmBorlaug ScholarGirlsgoCyberstart state winnerNational AP Scholar HonorsNational African AmericanNational Spanish Honors SocietyWilmington 15 under 15

Activites:
Debate/Speech (all-state)Environmental Club (president)Girls go CyberstartIowa Youth Congress (district liaison) Mayor's Youth Commission (exec) Mentors in Violence PreventionNational Honor Society (president)Pencil DrivesTutorWorld Food Prize (globals)

Additional:
East High SchoolGospel Mission Thrift StoreMulticultural FairNeighborhood Library Siouxland Neighborhood

2024 Local Participants

Photo of Olivia Marti
Olivia Marti
CityWaukon
University PreferenceIowa State University
Career GoalAgronomy/Agricultural Business
TalentPresentation
Photo of Jenny Nguyen
Jenny Nguyen
CitySioux City
University PreferenceNYU/UCLA/SFSU
Career GoalPsychologist
TalentDance
Photo of Anika Yadav
Anika Yadav
CityWaukee
University PreferenceStanford University
Career GoalEntrepreneurship, Public Policy
TalentSlam Poetry
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