Distinguished Young Woman of Cary 2023, Aliza Jankowsky
Aliza Jankowsky was chosen as the Distinguished Young Woman of Cary for 2023 on August 21st, 2023 at The Carswell Concert Hall at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC. In January 2023, Aliza was given the opportunity to represent Cary at the Distinguished Young Women of North Carolina program where she took home the following awards: Perliminary Interview, and Overall Scholastics for the North Carolina Class of 2023.
Daughter of Angela and Joshua Jankowsky, Aliza graduated from Green Hope High School in June of 2023. Aliza will be attending the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill in the fall where she will be part of the Honors College and start her college education.
Aliza’s achievements include: American Legion Oration NC Champion, SAR Oration NC Champion, AP Scholar with Distinction, DAR Essay Contest District and Post First Place, National English Honor Society President, Cary VFW Voice of Democracy Post Winner, National Technical Honor Society President of Communications, and Junior Marshal
In addition, Aliza’s activities include: Founder of Student-Led Organization We Need To Talk, City of Raleigh Museum Programs Assistant, Founder of Disperse the Verse Slam Poetry Club, Ethics Bowl Vice President, Creator of Y(Our) Stories Interview Project, Part-time Nanny, Member of GH Lacrosse Team, and Co-founder and Vice President of Cary Teen Book Club.
Distinguished Young Woman of Morrisville 2023, Sohini Das
Sohini Das was chosen as the Distinguished Young Woman of Morrisville for 2023 on August 21st, 2023 at The Carswell Concert Hall at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC. In January 2023, Sohini was given the opportunity to represent Morrisville at the Distinguished Young Women of North Carolina program where she took home the following awards: Perliminary Interview, and Preliminary Scholastics for the North Carolina Class of 2023.
Daughter of Nabanita and Pranab Das, Sohini graduated from Raleigh Charter High School in June of 2023. Sohin will be attending North Carolina State University in the fall as a Park Schoar and start her college education.
Sohini’s achievements include: Two Gold level Presidential Volunteer Service Awards, UNC Chapel Hill Nutrient Research Publication, Robotics: NC State Champions and 33rd Internationally, First Division International Exam Honor (two years) for Indian Classi, Top 4 at states and 10+ Medals for Science Olympiad ,NC Governor School Attendee NC Junior Science Symposium Presenter + Scholarship recipient.
In addition, Sohini’s activities include: JV Rep /Varsity Member of Science Olympiad, Conducted research with Dr.Eric Chi at Rice University regarding COVID, WiSTEM, Envirothon (Current issues), Model UN, Key Club, NC Governor School for Natural Sciences participant, President and founder of Biotechnology Club.
Our Gold Level Sponsors 2024 Program Committee
This program would not be possible without the hard work and support of our committee. Thanks to each of you for your hard work and dedication to the Distinguished Young Women Program!
Program Chairman.....................................Maggie Mae Whittemore
Judges’ Chairman....................................................... Laura Sheppard
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Thank You Aliza and Sohini for representing Wake County with Passion, Excitement, and Poise.
Your year of service may be over, but we are excited to see how you will shine throughout your life. You will always be a forever DYW.
Love, your DYW of Wake County Committee and Volunteers
We wish Coach Kaitlyn all e best with her Distinguished Young Women's program journey. Programs: Recreation Cheer All-star cheer cheerabilities tumbling stunt classes power classes parent night out birthday parties track out camp private lessons open tumble clinics CONTACT OUR OFFICE TO SCHEDULE YOUR CHILD'S FREE TRIAL CLASS TODAY! CONTACT OUR OFFICE SCHEDULE CHILD'S FREE TRIAL CLASS TODAY! CONTACT OUR OFFICE TO SCHEDULE YOUR CLASS TODAY! DIANE@SHOWTIMEAPEX.COM DIANE@SHOWTIMEAPEX.COM DIANE@SHOWTIMEAPEX.COM 919-346-7300 919-346-7300 919-346-7300 She continues to inspire our athletes to be their best self and has made a positive impact on their young lives.
Judging
The Distinguished Young Women selection process uses a system by which every contestant in each judging category is assigned a score ranging from one to ten by each judge. The score is based solely on an evaluation of an individual’s performance. It is not to be determined by comparing one contestant to another. The judges’ scores for each contestant in each category are added, and the sum is then weighted according to that category’s percentage. The weighted scores for each contestant in each category are then added to the points awarded during deliberation. Next, the overall point totals are used to determine the program finalists. Our tabulator for this afternoon is Lois Hall.
Interview 25%
During a ten minute interview, the judges evaluate a contestant’s personality and how she may react to a new situation, her maturity, and her ability to express herself. The judges will consider a contestant’s mental alertness, perception, personality, sense of values, clarity of expression, human relations, home, civic, school, and religious activities and accomplishments as well as other factors such as walk, posture, personal grooming, mannerisms, and choice of clothing.
Because judging in this category requires evaluating scholastic information, separate judge is used. The judge may include school counselors, admissions personnel, and other individuals trained in evaluating academic performance. Judges will consider a contestant’s grades, level of difficulty of classes, grade point average, class rank, and scores on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT. Our scholastic judge was David Crawford, Hon. AIA.
Each contestant will be allowed up to 90 seconds to demonstrate her talent in the creative and performing arts. Judges will evaluate a contestant’s originality, technical ability, appropriateness of selection, appropriateness of costume, stage presence, and overall performance.
Scholastics 25% Talent 20% Fitness 15%
The contestants will perform a choreographed fitness routine that includes both group individual portions. Contestants will be judged based on their performance in both portions. Judges will look for freshness, vigor, spirit, good health, and consider the contestant’s agility, coordination, stamina, strength, and body tone.
Self-Expression 15%
Each contestant will perform a choreographed routine and will express herself verbally. Judges will evaluate a contestant’s demeanor, sense of style, and speaking ability. They will consider the contestant’s grace, poise, carriage, posture, composure, speech, and choice of dress.
Opening Number...............................................................................................“Ready For It” Class of 2024, the Distinguished Young Woman of Cary 2023 Aliza Jankowsky, and the Distinguished Young Woman of Morrisville 2023 Sohini Das Introductions of Program and Judges....................................................Hannah Spainhour Fitness.................................................................................................................”Into the Blue” Class of 2024 Interview with Aliza and Sohini...............................................................Hannah Spainhour and the Distinguished Young Woman of Cary 2023 Aliza Jankowsky and the Distinguished Young Woman of Morrisville 2023 Sohini Das Talent.....................................................................................................................Class of 2024 Special Entertainment....................................................................................Aliza Jankowsky Distinguished Young Woman of Cary 2023 Special Entertainment..............................................................................................Sohini Das Distinguished Young Woman of Morrisville 2023 Introductions.........................................................Visiting Representatives and Has Beens Self Expression.....................................................................................................Class of 2024 Intermission Farewell.............................................................................................................Aliza Jankowsky Distinguished Young Woman of Cary 2023 Farewell.......................................................................................................................Sohini Das Distinguished Young Woman of Morrisville 2023 Presentation of Awards.....................................................................................Class of 2024 Order of Events
The Class of 2024
Reiyah Jacobs - 1
High School: Homeschool
Career Goals: Academia
Activities/Honors: Math Club • World Science Scholars • Honors
Summer Math Camp • Rowing • Governor’s Page Program • National
Award Recipient for CLT • Gold Medal in AATSP National Spanish Exam
• Recipient of Spirit of Ramanujan Fellowship • Published paper in Journal of Number Theory
Talent: Piano - “Le Salon de Musique” by Eugénie Rocherolle
Nia
Johnson - 2
High School: Garner Magnet High School
Career Goals: Pursue a Career in Theater
Activities/Honors: Student Council • Public Speaking • Poetry
• Creative Free Drawing • Broadway Musical Dance • Improv • 2021
GMHS Drama Best Actress in a Play • 2021-2022 Youth Leadership of Garner
• 2023 GMHS Junior Class Vice President • 2023 Wingate
All-Carolina 11-12 Select Choir • 2023 Triangle Rising Stars (Opening Number)
Talent: Singing - “How Could I Ever Know” by Lucy Simon
Sara
Spainhour - 3
High School: Heritage High School
Career Goals: Social Work
Activities/Honors: Spring Track • Indoor Track • Cross Country • Theater • Heritage Hooligans Student Section Leader • National Honor Society • National History Honor Society • Student Body Vice President
• Breakout Award-2022 Cross Country
Talent: Spoken Word - Self-Written Piece
The Class of 2024
Shaakira Johnson - 4
High School: Heritage High School
Career Goals: Cosmetologist/Beautician/Entrepreneur
Activities/Honors: Dancing • Doing arts and crafts • Doing hair
• Singing • Theatre • Cooking • Baking • Spanish Excellent Student Certificate • Track and Field Certificate
Talent: Singing - “All of Me” by John Legend
Jenna
Otuonye - 5
High School: Vernon Malone High School
Career Goals: Traveling Pediatrician
Activities/Honors: Yearbook and School Newspaper • Medical Terminology Skills USA • Medical Terminology Skills Regionals • Skills USA champion 5th overall • Skills regionals 4th place • National Technical Honors Society • Junior Marshal • Battle of the books 2nd place • Dance and Color guard 1st, 2nd and 3rd in all 3 competitions
Talent: Poetry - Self-Written Piece
Diksha
Krishnaswamy - 6
High School: Green Level High School
Career Goals: Physician
Activities/Honors: Wake County EMS Cadet • Layers of Dignity
Nonprofit Intern • Gender Equality and Leadership President hosted “Wake County Young Women’s Summit” • Breast Cancer Research at UNC Chapel Hill • Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) • Science
National Honor Society “Outreach Manager” • 1st place NC Student Academy of Science States Behavioral Science • 3rd place NC Science and Engineering Fair Regionals Biological Science
Talent: Bharatanatyam Dance - “Nrithanjali” by Govardhani Babu
The Class of 2024
Jocelyn Johnson- 7
High School: Heritage High School
Career Goals: Entrepreneur/Baker
Activities/Honors: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) • Heritage Theatre
Talent: Singing - “Killing Me Softly” by Fugees
Kaitlyn
Hale - 8
High School: Holly Springs High School
Career Goals: Teacher/Coach
Activities/Honors: Varsity Cheerleader • Cheerleading Coach
• Silver medalist in the National Latin 1 Exam • Member of National Honor Society • The Heart Award winner at my local Cheer Gym • Finalist in the Allstar Worlds competition • All American Cheerleader
Talent: Acro Dance - “Attention” by Todrick Hall
Mistress of Ceremonies
Hannah Spainhour
(Distinguished Young Woman of Wake County 2022)
Judges
Ryan Gardner
Meghan Hunt
Margaret Haynes
Info for the Class of 2025
