Honolulu, HI.   Leila Christene Manibog, of Waipahu was named the 2026 Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) of Hawaii on Sunday, August 18, 2024 and was awarded $7,250 in cash scholarships at the 66th annual statewide scholarship program. This year’s event was held at Sacred Hearts Academy and the participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (25%), Interview (25%), Talent (20%), Fitness (15%) and Self-Expression (15%). 

 

Leila, a Waipahu High School senior and daughter of Jason and Christina Yabes, won a $4,500 cash scholarship, a trip to the 2025 Distinguished Young Women National Finals in Mobile, Alabama, a 4-year tuition scholarship to Hawaii Pacific University, and wardrobe for the national finals from Jams World. Leila also took home an additional $1,000 for Interview, $750 for Talent, $500 for Self Expression, $500 for Fitness, and $500 as the Spirit of Distinguished Young Women winner.  

 

Leila will have the opportunity to win a $30,000 cash scholarship when she represents Hawaii June 25th - 27th at the National Finals in Mobile, Alabama. In the fall, she will attend Hawaii Pacific University.

 

Ashlyn Ito, an Iolani senior, was 1st runner-up and was awarded a $3,500 cash scholarship and a $18,000 HPU tuition scholarship. Ashlyn also won $1,000 as the Top Scholar. She is the daughter of Paul and Sharelle Ito.

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The 2nd runner-up award went to Flora Liao, a senior at Iolani School and the daughter Yuedan Lu. Flora won a $2,500 cash scholarship and a $18,000 HPU tuition scholarship. She also received $1,000 for Scholastic Runner Up, $750 for Talent, and $500 for Marie Milk's Service to Others Award.

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Olive Taylor, a University Laboratory School senior, was 3rd runner-up and was awarded a $1,500 cash scholarship and a $18,000 HPU tuition scholarship. Olive also won $500 for Self Expression. She is the daughter of Benjy and Wendy Taylor.

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Other award winners include:

• Tyler Beissel of Sacred Hearts Academy, $1,000 for Interview

• Kerys Palmer of Iolani School, $500 for Fitness and $500 for Be Your Best Self Essay Contest

• Jade Culbertson of Radford High School, $500 for the Corlis J. Chang No’ono’opono Award

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DYW Hawaii is the state’s longest running scholarship program for high school senior girls, providing students opportunities to earn over $20,000 in cash scholarships, 4-year tuition scholarships to Hawaii Pacific University, and many other awards provided by local sponsors. The non-profit scholarship program, previously called Hawaii’s Junior Miss, is run entirely by volunteers, and is available to high school senior girls across the state.