Washington DYW Program rewards three locals

PULLMAN - The Washington State Distinguished Women (DYW) Program held its 66th annual scholarship program Saturday, August 5, at Daggy Hall on the Washington State University Campus at 4 p.m.

Ellensburg's Distinguished Young Woman, Sydney Ohlemann, took the title of Washington's representative for the 2024 national Distinguished Young Women scholarship program, receiving a $3,200 cash scholarship and a $2,000 scholarship from Washington State University (WSU) with her title and a $200 award in the Interview judging category.

Runner-up went to Addy Carlile, DYW of Moses Lake, receiving a $1,500 scholarship and $200 awards in the Fitness and Talent judging categories.

The program highlighted eight high school seniors awarded over $10,000 in college scholarships.

Three young women representing Whitman County towns participated in this year's DYW program, and all would agree that one of the program's best parts was meeting the other girls and making friends.

"It was so fun, and I was so glad to get to meet the other girls and see how awesome they are, and it just made me happy to perform with them," Garfield-Palouse's DYW Ainsley Sievers said.

Sievers was proud of her new friend, and Distinguished Young Woman of Washington, Ohlemann. "I think it's amazing that Sydney won because she had a disadvantage in having to do it all while she was sick over Zoom," Sievers said, adding that she was impressed with Ohlemann and glad she won.

Sievers received the overall Scholastic Award of $500 and a $2,500 scholarship from WSU. Her parents are Tracy Lee and Tim Sievers of Palouse.

Colton-Uniontown Distinguished Young Woman Kate Schultheis thought the entire experience was fun, "I wasn't super excited to come, but being here really changed my mind," she said, adding that all the girls were so amazing.

Schultheis stated that if she had to advise any future up comers, she would suggest working out two months in advance, " I started working out a week in advance; it's hard," she laughed.

Schultheis' favorite part of the experience was hanging out with her roommate.

Schultheis earned a $200 Self Expression award. Her parents are Jana and Chris Schultheis of Colton.

DYW of Pullman, Aubrey Maryott's stated that her favorite part of the program was meeting all the other girls. "I love them so much, and I feel like I have seven new best friends, and that's the best feeling in the world," Maryott said.

Maryott stated that the program overall was so rewarding, "I feel like I've learned so much, especially in fitness, and just how to present myself and be the best self I can be," she added.

Maryott received $200 each for the Interview and Self Expression categories, and Schultheis earned a $200 Self Expression award. Her parents are Frank and Shannon Maryott of Pullman.

The current Distinguished Young Woman representing Washington State is Olivia Ng of Colfax. Esther Roeber Moses Lake's DYW for 2021 and Washington's DYW for 2022 was emcee for the afternoon event.

Ohlemann will go to the National Finals in Mobile, Alabama June 27, 28, and 29 of 2024.