In high school, students strive for success. Over-achievers spend hours studying for the honor of valedictorian, musically gifted vocalists stretch their chords to get parts in the musical, and athletes spend their summers along with their off-season staying fit and improving for a chance to earn their coveted varsity jacket.
High school students strive for success, and most of them go unrecognized despite their hours, weeks, even years of work.
On Sunday May 21, several Dallastown Area High School junior girls were recognized for their hard work with scholarships offered at the Distinguished Young Women’s (DYW) Awards in York County.
Junior Namya Jindal won first place and was awarded $12,400 out of a total $40,000 awarded in scholarships for higher education in this year’s contest.
This is the second year in a row that a DHS junior was given first place, current-senior Paige Langmead brought home gold in 2022 and also was a runner up in the state competition.
The DYW awards junior high school girls for their academic excellence, stage performances, physical fitness, and communication skills, all of which they showcase at the pageant.
“DYW is an amazing program that promotes and lifts up young women nationwide. It provides immense scholarship money and teaches young women so much about themselves,” Langmead describes.
Jindal will go on to compete in states as Langmead did in hopes of being further recognized for her skills.
“I will attend the state program this August, and for the next year I will be the representative for York County DYW. I will be promoting the Be Your Best Self message throughout the community and at the elementary schools, and I will have an integral part in next year’s DYW of York County program,” says Jindal.
Winners like Langmead and Jindal can also be a representative of the local chapter and speak to girls around York County.
“I went to various elementary schools around the county and spoke to elementary students about Be Your Best Self, the outreach program of DYW…I also went and talked to high school junior girls about the program, encouraging them to join…” Langmead says about her participation this year in the local chapter of DYW.
A large portion of the DYW contest is demonstrating some form of talent, where the young women showcase skills as unique as they are.
Jindal performed a classical Indian dance called Bharatnatyam, and last year, Langmead sang. Helena Trauger, the third runner-up, played the violin, and Adalia Kolsevich also performed on the violin.
Each girl also has a unique story behind why they went into the program. Langmead and Trauger were both inspired to participate by their older sisters.
“I wanted to get involved in DYW because each year I’ve seen how it has impacted the lives of many young women, starting with my older sister. It provides a great opportunity to learn the many important skills for college and beyond.” Trauger says.
Trauger also went on to win the Talent Award.
Adalia Kolsevich, who won the Leadership Award, didn’t have family in the competition, but the experience and advice of others influenced her to participate.
“I got involved because one of my friends knew a lot about the program and suggested it to me. The possibility of scholarships and meeting girls from across York County are definitely what drew me in,” says Kolsevich.
Jindal wanted to participate because she wanted to be apart of the experience of DYW.
“I heard about the program through multiple teachers and friends, and they all recommended the program to me. As I got more information about it, I was even more interested in being a part of DYW,” Jindal says.
Overall, despite what awards each girl won, DYW impacted them all greatly and in different ways.
“I can look back at this program with positive memories, as I’ve grown so much within the span of only two months of preparing for this program,” Trauger says.
Other than the scholarships Jindal received, she also enjoyed the environment and people at DYW.
“The environment was so supportive and not competitive at all, and I really enjoyed the bonding and new friendships I made throughout the program,” says Jindal.
A big portion of DYW is also uplifting distinguished women, which Langmead upholds in her support of Jindal’s win.
“The biggest thing [Jindal] should know is that she’s deserving and should be proud of the hard work that she has done,” Langmead says.
DHS has been wonderfully represented by these groups of junior girls that continue to bring home the title of York’s Distinguished Young Woman, among other awards. Jindal urges rising DHS juniors to step out of their comfort zone and participate.
“I would definitely recommend participation to DHS juniors. The friendships and networking you get to do through the program are incredible, and you learn so much about yourself,” Jindal explains.
