Woodrow Wilson student is “Distinguished Young Woman” for the state of West Virginia

BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – A local high school student has distinguished herself in the Mountain State. In fact, she’s been deemed The 2024 “Distinguished Young Woman for the state of West Virginia”.

Mackenzie Adkins, a Senior at Woodrow Wilson High School, competed in the Distinguished Young Women competition. The DYW, formerly known as “America’s Junior Miss”, was founded in 1958 and has grown into the largest national scholarship program for high school girls. Participants are judged in five categories: Interview, Scholastics, Talent, Fitness, and Self-Expression.

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Mackenzie says the competition taught her many skills she’ll carry with her the rest of her life. One of which is to learn from others.

“I definitely learned that, like it’s in the application process. I had to ask a lot of people. I’d have a lot of people help me. I had a previous winner that I had known. I asked her for a lot of help, and it definitely taught me that it’s okay to ask for help for like a process like this because asking for help, it’s okay.”

In 1958, Phyllis Whitenack, of Bluefield, was the competition’s first ever winner, and the only West Virginian to win the national competition.

We’re wishing Mackenzie the best luck as she heads to the Nationals this summer! Bring home West Virginia’s second national title!

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