Anne Katherine Corley of Auburn High School was named the new Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) of Lee County for the class of 2027 on July 11, 2026, at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. Corley received $6,250 in program scholarships to use at the college of her choice. Blakely Parrish of Opelika High School was named the first runner-up and received $4,000 in scholarships, and Claire Hendrickson of Auburn High School was named the second runner-up and received $3,150 in scholarships.
In total, the DYW of Lee County program awarded $17,925 in college scholarships. Additionally, Hood College and the University of West Alabama provided $3.25 million in college-granted scholarships across the 21 participants.
The DYW of Lee County program awarded five scholarships in each program category: scholastics, interview, talent, fitness, and self-expression. Five scholarships were awarded to participants for superior community service records, and five scholarships were awarded for writing an essay on striving to be your best self. The participants selected one participant who best represents the ideals of the DYW program to receive the Spirit Award. The full list of award recipients is below:…