Sep 18

Sep 18 Distinguished Young Women of Lenoir County program scheduled for Saturday

The Distinguished Young Women of Lenoir County program proudly presents Rachel Noble, Distinguished Young Woman of Lenoir County for 2025, and Lilli Daughety, Distinguished Young Woman of Kinston in its annual program which will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, September 20, 2025 in the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Kinston High School. Nobles and Daughety both currently attend NC State University. Rachel is the daughter of Joseph and Jessica Noble and Lilli is the daughter of Danny and Jenny Daughety.

Jennifer Heath Sutton will emcee the program, “Better Together” as the participants enjoy performing to a variety of tunes reminding us that traveling through life with special people by our side is a blessing. Last year for the first time in program history two winners were recognized and traveled together to Greensboro to represent Lenoir County and Kinston. It has been an amazing year watching Rachel and Lilli grow together. This journey together is being honored Saturday night with this years theme. Sponsored by the La Grange Rotary Club, the program is under the direction of Mia Heath, Allyson Heath and choreographer Jennifer Tyndall.

“Because of its high standards and numerous opportunities for high school seniors, the Distinguished Young Women Program is considered one of the nation’s major youth programs and has gained the approval of educators, parents, and civic leaders,” Heath said. “This program focuses on the achievements of youth.”

The local program is part of a nationwide effort to recognize, reward, and encourage excellence and education among all young people. Six senior girls will compete for scholarship money to help further their education and gifts donated by local merchants.

Participants in the 2026 program include:

Cailyn Beamon

Parents: Chad and Christy Beamon

High School: Greene Central High School

College Choice: East Carolina University

Career Ambition: Early Childhood Education

Activities and Honors: Dance Teacher Assistant, Varsity Cheerleading (4 years), Track

Beta Club, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Cheerleading Spirit Award, 15 Years of Dance Award, Youth for the Quality of Animals (YQCA)

Talent: Jazz

Sponsor: Inkables and Southern Stitch

Sky Doyle

Parents: Krystal and Dennis Doyle

High School: North Lenoir High School

College Choice: UNC Chapel Hill

Career Ambition: Radiography

Activities and Honors: National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Dance, Varsity Volleyball, Varsity Track and Field, MVP award for 1 year of JV Volleyball, Hustle award for 1 year of JV Volleyball, MVP for 3 years of Winter Track Varsity, MVP for 3 years of Spring Track Varsity, Voice of Democracy top 10 at States, Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest State winner, Science Fair State Qualifier, DECA, HOSA, Science Olympiad, SGA, QUILL, Dean’s List, and LCC Science Club.

Talent: Contemporary Dance

Sponsor: Our Carolina Cavaliers

Campbell Price

Parents: Neal and Jill Price

High School: South Lenoir High School

College Choice: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Career Ambition: Pharmacist

Activities and Honors: North Carolina Governors School Attendee, North Carolina House Page, Belk Scholarship Nominee, Levine Scholarship Nominee, National Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Deans List, South Lenoir Academic Lamp of Knowledge Recipient, Junior Marshal for Graduation, Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy, District-C Teamship, The Quill Writing Competition Regional Qualifier, Varsity Competition Cheerleading, Varsity Women's Basketball, Varsity Women's Soccer, Junior Varsity Women's Basketball MVP Award, Cheerleading Most Spirited Award, Student Government Association President, Student Government Association Historian, R.E.A.C.H Club Historian, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Devotion Leader, Rotary Student of the Month, Junior Leadership Lenoir

Talent: Jazz Dance

Sponsor: Scott Matthews Cosmetic and Family Dentistry

Merryn Taylor

Parents: Larry and Kelly Taylor

High School: Willow Christian Academy

College Choice: Liberty University

Career Ambition: Elementary Teacher

Activities and Honors:

Community service essay award. Lincoln Douglas Debate Winner. Challenge student council president 2024. Challenge student secretary 2023.

Talent: Jazz Dance

Sponsor: The Groundsman

Aubree Smith

Parents: Traci and Jay Smith

High School: Greene Central High School

College Choice: NC State University

Career Ambition: Architect

Activities and Honors: Varsity tennis, dance, track and field, National Honor Society, Beta Club, and National Technical Honor Society.

Talent: Dance

Sponsor: Dream-Makers Tanning

Emma Kate Letchworth

Parents: Michael and Elizabeth Letchworth

High School: Wayne School of Engineering

College Choice: East Carolina University Honors

Career Ambition: Labor and Delivery Nurse

Activities and Honors: Varsity Cheerleading (4 years), Varsity Cheerleading Captain (2 years), Musical Theatre (around 12 years), Photography (1 year), Volunteer Work (3 years), Outstanding Leadership Award for Varsity Cheerleading, Junior Marshal, All-Conference winner for Varsity Cheerleading, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Member.

Talent: Vocal

Sponsor: Tarboro River Bandits

Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is a free program that encourages participants to reach their full individual potential. Our 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 Barbara Barrington Jones Family Foundation, Mobile County, City of Mobile, Alabama Power Foundation, Shoe Station, Gant Travel Management, Wellington and Bonnie Coffeen, Regions Financial Corporation, Jostens and Alabama Media Group.

The 2026 Distinguished Young Woman of Lenoir County will be selected by a panel of individuals representing a broad range of backgrounds and interests. Evaluation in the local program will be based on the following standards, which are also used on the state and national levels: interviews, 25%; scholastics, 25%; fitness, 15%; talent, 20%; and self-expression, 15%.

The 2026 Distinguished Young Woman of Lenoir County, along with other local winners from across the state, will compete in the state program January 23 and 24, 2026 in Greensboro. The state winner will then travel to Mobile, Alabama in June for the national finals.

Numerous area businesses and individuals have contributed scholarship money to this program including: Dr. and Mrs. Kent Denton; Southern Bank of La Grange; Jimmy and Daphne Pollock; Ray and Marian Kennedy; Foss Recycling; Woodmen of the World; David and Ginny Moody; Johnnie and Danita Sheppard, Modular Solutions, Danny and Jenny Daughety and Mellany Davis. Other businesses have generously supported the program with donations and by giving of their time. These businesses include: Brittany Smith Photography, Casey Chudy, Mandy Odom and Mooves Dance Studio, Neuse News, and the Anne Hood Capps family.

Tickets to the program may be purchased for $20 by contacting any participant or Mia Heath. Tickets will also be available at the door.

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