Kimball to compete at state DYW competition

Rylie Kimball, Bonners Ferry’s 2024 Distinguished Young Woman, is set to compete for $42,500 in scholarships and the opportunity to represent the state as the Distinguished Young Woman of Idaho for 2025.  

Riley Kimball, the daughter of Chad Kimball and Laura Neumeyer, won the 2024 DYW competition after competing against 13 other participants. She was sponsored by the Moyie Shrine Club. Kimball received a $2,600 scholarship to the college of her choice, the official DYW medallion, and a photoshoot with Copper Ridge Photography. 

Kimball also won the talent award with her piano and vocal rendition on “New York State of Mind”, earning an $850 scholarship. She also won one of the two scholastic awards, winning a $1,000 scholarship for the achievement. 

High school senior girls from across Idaho will join together to participate in the event on Friday and Saturday, October 4-5 at the Frontier Center for the Performing Arts in Idaho Falls.  

The program is open to the public and will begin with the first preliminary program being held at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4 with the second preliminary event being held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. The new DYW of Idaho will be announced during the final showcase which begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. Tickets will be available at the door for $15. 

The 37 young women competing will be evaluated by a panel of five judges in the following categories: scholastics (25%), interview (25%), talent (20%), fitness (15%), and self-expression (15%). The participant selected as the DYW of Idaho will advance to the national level at the 68th Distinguished Young Women National Finals in Mobile, Ala., on June 26, 27 and 28, 2025, where she will join with 50 other representatives from across the country in competing for cash scholarships and the opportunity to represent the program as the DYW of America. 

In addition to Rylie Kimball, Distinguished Young Women of Idaho welcomes the following participants to Idaho Falls:  

Regional participants bolded

Ada Anderson of Sandpoint, Morgan Apt of Moscow, Anna Burbank of Boise Valley, Kate Christensen of Firth/Shelley, Hailey Dalling of Sugar/Salem, Hadassah Davis of Priest River, Jaida Evans of Ririe, Mackenzie Fullmer of South Fremont, KateLyn Goodworth of Marsh Valley, Quiana Gonzalez of Magic Valley, Jordan Hicks of North Mini-Cassia, Katelyn Holm of Lewiston, Hannah Hoth of Teton, Hayven Holyoak of Franklin County, Skyler Jones of South Mini-Cassia, Suzy Keller of Canyon Valley, Sadie Kerbs of Madison, Hayden Kimberling of Kendrick/Juliaetta, Jensen King of Aberdeen, Autum Martinez of The Camas Prairie, Hallie Morris of Bonneville County, Sydnee Nelson of Rigby, Kaylin O’Halloran of Kootenai County, Calyn Permann of Power County, Lexi Peterson of Kuna, Emelia Powell of Troy, Sierra Reynolds of Ashton, Eleanor Roman of Potlatch, Madelyn Shaw of Malad, HaiLeigh Short of St. Maries, Trixie Smith of West Jefferson, Kenzie Strasser of Weiser, Addison Taylor of Pocatello/Chubbuck, Ansley Weaver of Blackfoot, Kate Williams of Caribou County and AnnMarie Wolfley of Snake River. 

Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is a free program that encourages participants to reach their full individual potential. Thier mission is to empower young women by providing over $1 billion in scholarship opportunities, connecting with a nationwide network of women, developing their self-confidence, and participating in our Life Skills Workshops that prepare them for success after high school. National sponsors include Mobile County, City of Mobile, Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Alabama Power Foundation, Gant Travel Management, Regions Financial Corporation, The Coffeen Family, John Cauley Jeweler, Jostens and Alabama Media Group.