Kaya Jones named 2027 LC Distinguished Young Woman

PRESS RELEASE

Kaya Jones, daughter of Michelle and Ethan Jones, was named the 2027 Lincoln County Distinguished Young Woman following completion of the scholarship program on Saturday night.

Jones received $5,725 as the top participant, $1,000 as the Scholastic Achievement winner, and received preliminary awards in the categories of interview, fitness, and talent, earning additional cash scholarships of $1,925.   Kaya was also named as one of two  recipients of the newly established Darcie May Godbey Legacy Award, given in memory of the infant daughter of Dalton and Gabby Godbey.  She received $700 as a co-winner of this award which recognizes participants in the program that exhibit strong leadership, character, and service.  

As the 2027 winner, Kaya will represent Lincoln County at the Kentucky state program in January.

The first runner-up and recipient of a $4,625 scholarship was Alex Jones, daughter of Kim and Dean Jones. She earned an additional $2,700 as a preliminary winner in the categories of Fitness, Talent, Interview, and Scholastic Achievement.        

Second runner-up in the program was Alexis Short, daughter of Angel and James Short. She received $3,625 as a top five participant, $675 as the Talent winner, $550 as the Fitness winner, and $775 for a preliminary award in Interview. Alexis also earned a $250 Friends of Lincoln County DYW Scholarship, given in memory of Nancy Leedy.

Addison Abbott, daughter of Brooke Hurley and Justin Abbott, received $2,625 as the third runner-up in the 2027 program. She won an additional $1,000 for her top placement in Interview, and $1,300 for preliminary awards in Self-Expression and Scholastics. Addison was also a co-winner of the Phyllis Cooley Memorial Spirit Award, selected by her fellow participants, and earning $500.    

Fourth runner-up and recipient of a $1,925 scholarship was Mia Bodner, daughter of Berek and Ashley Bodner. She also received $550 as the overall Self-Expression winner, and $525 for a preliminary award in Fitness. Additionally, Mia was the recipient of a $425 Friends of DYW Award. 

     Other award winners Saturday evening included:

Ella Bratcher, daughter of  Jamie and Chris Bratcher, received $525 as a preliminary winner in Self-Expression, a $700 Darcie May Godbey Legacy Award, a $700 Friends of DYW Award, and $500 as a Spirit winner.      

Makaylee Reed, daughter of Brittany Colvin and Tyler Reed, received a $775 preliminary award in Interview and $625 as a preliminary winner in Talent.  She also was a $550 co-winner of the Be Your Best Award, given in memory of Jennifer Baker.    

Carlie Sneed, daughter of Bridget and Dwight Sneed, was a preliminary winner in both Fitness and Talent, earning a total of $1,150, and also received $600 as a runner-up in the Friends of DYW Scholarship.    

Autumn McGuffey, daughter of Megan Dykes, was awarded $775 as a preliminary Scholastics winner and $525 as a runner-up in Self-Expression.  

Keyera McFarland, daughter of Arlena and Jeremy McFarland, received a $1,000 scholarship as the Friends of DYW winner, and was awarded $775 as a preliminary winner in Scholastics. 

Haylee Pitman, daughter of Angela and Danny Pitman, was named a co-recipient of the Be Your Best Self Award, and received a $550 scholarship.  

Three recipients of the Character Counts Award, given in memory of Sheila Underwood, were named during the awards portion of the program, each receiving a $500 scholarship.  These winners were: Alexa Estes, daughter of Arika and Devin Estes; Alexia Snow, daughter of Jennifer Fox, and Peyton Tillett, daughter of Brittany and Mike Tillett.  

A total of $43,500 in cash scholarships was given during the evening, making the Lincoln County DYW Scholarship Program the top program in the state. The local DYW committee is grateful for the continued support of our community and all those who donate their time, energy, talents, and gifts to this special event. Kaya will compete with all the other local representatives for the state title in January at the Singletary Center for the Arts in Lexington.