Rachel Rightmyer was selected as the Distinguished Young Woman of Roanoke Valley this past August, winning over $6000 in cash scholarships, and advanced to the state program to be held this weekend.

The contestants at the state level are paired with roommates and stay with host families. The girls attend practices and rehearsals daily during their week long stay in Greensboro.

The Distinguished Young Women Program was founded in 1958 in Mobile, Alabama, and is the largest and oldest national scholarship program for high school senior girls. For more than 50 years, the program was known as America’s Junior Miss. In 2010, it officially changed its named to Distinguished Young Women. In addition to providing life-changing experiences for more than 740,000 young women across the country, the organization has awarded more than $104 million in cash scholarships at the local, state and national levels. Along with cash scholarships, Distinguished Young Women participants are eligible for college-granted scholarships from over 100 colleges and universities.

DYW is an empowerment program that inspires high school girls to develop their full, individual potential through a fun, transformative experience culminating in a celebratory showcase of their accomplishments. The participants are judged in five categories; scholastics, interview, fitness, self-expression and talent.

Rachel will compete in the North Carolina program along with 17 other outstanding young ladies on Jan. 29–30, 2016, where approximately $20,000 in cash college scholarships will be awarded. The program will be held at the Carolina Theatre in Greensboro.

Rachel attends Halifax Academy, where she is very active in her school and community. She is the daughter of Ray and Sheri Rightmyer. Upon graduation, Rachel plans to attend East Carolina University in the fall and major in Elementary Education.

For more information about Distinguished Young Women of Roanoke Valley program, or to make a corporate sponsorship donation, please contact co-chairs, Treva Neville at 252-532-1516, or Casey Harris at 252-532-6524 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Or by visiting the DYW of Roanoke Valley Facebook page.

The next Distinguished Young Women local program will be held June, 18, 2016 at HCC The Centre at 7pm. Mark your calendars!