Distinguished Young Women OF Nebraska 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.


Learn more

Photo of Ruby Gutzmann
Ruby Gutzmann
Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska At-Large for 2024
Photo of Chuyee Huang
Chuyee Huang
Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska At-Large for 2024
Photo of Raima Kreifels
Raima Kreifels
Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska At-Large for 2024
Photo of Megan Marasco
Megan Marasco
Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska At-Large for 2024
Photo of Kaitlin Lichtenberger
Kaitlin Lichtenberger
Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska At-Large for 2024
Photo of Jadyn Taylor
Jadyn Taylor
Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska At-Large for 2024
Photo of Makenna Lichty
Makenna Lichty
Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska At-Large for 2024
Program Information

Class of 2025 Program

Lincoln - March 3, 2024
Omaha #1 - March 10, 2024
Central/Western NE - March 17, 2024
Omaha #2 - March 24, 2024

At-Large times are from 1-5pm

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.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: February 25, 2024


Apply Now

2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska At-Large

2025 Local Participants


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

Participants

2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska At-Large

Photo of Ruby Gutzmann
Ruby Gutzmann
From
Blair

University Preference
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Raikes School

Career Goal
Theoretical Physics Professor

Achievements:
College Board's National Rural and Small Town Recognition ScholarPresidential Scholar NomineeBHS Drama Outstanding Member (Freshman, Sophomore, & Junior)Outstanding Vocal Music Student (Freshman, Sophomore, & Junior)Optimist Club Essay Local, Regional, and State WinnerEastern Midlands Conference: All Conference Academic Excellence (Vocal Music, Journalism)Nebraska 2022 & 2023 NMEA All-State ChorusesDuke University TIP State and Grand RecognitionNSAA State Journalism, UNO Class B First Place Sports and News StoriesNSAA NCPA Academic All-State Award

Activites:
Acapella ChoirConcert ChoirDrama Club - Troupe AdvocateNational Honor Society - PresidentNewspaper - EditorStudent GovernmentVarsity Cheerleading 2022-2023Varsity Quiz Bowl - CaptainVarsity Show Choir - CaptainVarsity Speech

Additional:
Volunteer at Blair YMCA Special OlympicsVolunteer School Math Tutor (Pre-Calc, Algebra, etc.)Volunteer at First Lutheran Church, community serviceCleanup after school games and meetsBlood donor

2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska At-Large

Photo of Chuyee Huang
Chuyee Huang
From
Omaha

University Preference
University of Southern California

Career Goal
Math professor

Achievements:
National Honor Society The President's Volunteer Service AwardNebraska Performance Competition - piano senior level 1st place2020 President's Education AwardsAcademic letter 2021 and 20222022 Medley Pre-College Piano Competition 2nd place2022 Victor Borge Legacy Award - piano & essay2021 NMTA Piano 1st place2022 OMTA piano senior 3rd place2022 NMTA piano 2nd place

Activites:
PianoTennisFigure Skating

Additional:
Volunteer at the Omaha Chinese AssociationFremont Habitat for HumanityElkhorn South High SchoolPapillion Public Library

2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska At-Large

Photo of Raima Kreifels
Raima Kreifels
From
Bradshaw

University Preference
UNL

Career Goal
Actress and Real Estate Agent

Achievements:
1st Place Nebraska State Serious Prose 2023 (Marilyn Monroe)4th Place POI at the Nebraska State Speech Competition 2023Tilted Screw AwardSpeech Outstanding Interpretation Award 2022Nebraska Young Artist Award in TheatreCo-Author of the 2022 One Act Writing Competition at the Yorkshire PlayhouseDistrict Speech 1st place POISkillsUSA Prepared Speech 3rd and 2nd place at state 2021-20222nd Place OID State Speech 2022District Speech 2023 2nd place Serious

Activites:
One ActVarsity SpeechSkills USAYork Honor Choir Chamber SingersTreble In Paradise (York all-girls acapella group)ACES (Honor Society Member)GOTR Junior Volunteer CoachAll Writes Reserved (Poetry Club)York Dolphins Swim TeamYorkshire Playhouse Volunteer and Actress

Additional:
Yorkshire Playhouse: crew work, cleaning, box office, acting +National Anthem for YPSVolunteered at the Believe Fundraiser: head of childcareTutor for the Renewed Horizons programSinging for events (unpaid)

2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska At-Large

Photo of Megan Marasco
Megan Marasco
From
Omaha

University Preference
University of Nebraska at Lincoln

Career Goal
Behavioral Science and Dance Choreography

Achievements:
Academic Letters for two yearsGold Academic Honor RollBand Letter for three yearsSuperior rating for Clarinet Choir in District Music ContestSuperior rating for Wind Ensemble in District Music ContestGroup, solo, duet and trio placed at various dance competitions

Activites:
Competitive Dance at Mary Lorraine's Dance CenterMarching Band with Millard South High School

Additional:
Painting props and fundraising for Mary Lorraine's Dance Center

2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska At-Large

Photo of Kaitlin Lichtenberger
Kaitlin Lichtenberger
From
Omaha

University Preference
n/a

Career Goal
Doctor

Achievements:
Honor Roll (2020-current)CPR certified (2022-current)State Cheer Champion (2022)State Olympic Weightlifting Champion (2021)Certified Nursing Assistant (2022-current)Cornhusker Girls State Delegate (2022)

Activites:
Varsity Cheer (2021-current)Varsity Dance (2021-current)Concordia Ambassador (2021-current)Cool Beans Barista (2022-current)Praise Band (2023-current)National Honor Society (2022-current)Prom Committee (2022-current)Youth For Christ Group Leader (2022-current)

Additional:
Pay It Forward Project; Church small group handing out cards with gift cardsSleep in Heavenly Peace; Making beds for kids in Omaha who sleep on the floorFaith in Action Days; School heads out into the community to serve all aroundChurch Trips; Serve in an array of areas like food banks and packaging foodRefugee Resettlement; Help refugees in Omaha get settled into their new homes

2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska At-Large

Photo of Jadyn Taylor
Jadyn Taylor
From
Ravenna

University Preference
In-State Public

Career Goal
Elementary Education

Achievements:
Vice President of Art ClubVice President of BandAcademic Excellence FreshmanAcademic Excellence SophomoreArt ExcellenceSuperior FreshmanSuperior SophomoreSuperior Junior

Activites:
Academic DecathlonArt ClubBandCheerleadingColor GuardFBLAStarYouth Advisory Board

Additional:
Blood DriveFBLA basketball clean upKids Are Washable NHSJr. Jays Cheer

2024 Distinguished Young Woman of Nebraska At-Large

Photo of Makenna Lichty
Makenna Lichty
From
Bennington

University Preference
University of Kansas

Career Goal
Medical career

Achievements:
Interview with UNMC High School Alliance3 year Honor Roll: Presidents and Deans list3 year Dance Team Varsity LetterTeammate of the month Veteran of the YearPlaced 8th at Worlds competition for No LimitsAP ChemistryAP American History

Activites:
Varsity Dance TeamNo Limits DanceUnified PENannyingWorking at the DaycareStaying fit

Additional:
Dance Team Kiddie ClinicDance Team Craft FairBennington DaysBell ringing at HyveeFundraising

2025 Local Participants

Norah Armstrong
CityWayne
University PreferenceUndecided
Career GoalMusic
TalentVocal Solo
Photo of Jennifer Bonge
Jennifer Bonge
CityOmaha
University PreferenceUniversity of Nebraska Lincoln
Career GoalOrthodontist
TalentVocal Performance
Photo of Cambria Kunc
Cambria Kunc
CityHebron
University PreferenceUniversity of Iowa or Wayne State College
Career GoalNursing
TalentDance
Photo of Bella  Larsen
Bella  Larsen
CityColumbus
University PreferenceUniversity of Omaha Nebraska
Career GoalPhysical Therapy
TalentDance
Photo of Kaitlin O’Connell
Kaitlin O’Connell
CityOmaha
University PreferenceFlorida state, KU, University of San Diego, University of Tampa, University of Alabama, Louisiana State University
Career GoalMedical School (Anesthesiologist), Dentist/ Orthodontist
TalentCheerleading
Photo of Katherine O'Meara
Katherine O'Meara
CityPapillion
University Preference
Career GoalAerospace Engineer
TalentMonolouge
Photo of Darrian "Latin" Plebanek
Darrian "Latin" Plebanek
CityPapillion
University PreferenceArt School
Career GoalArtist!
TalentSinging
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