Cosette Wu, 18, of Honolulu was named the 2021 Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) of Hawaii on Sunday, December 6th, and awarded $7,500 in cash scholarships at the 62nd annual statewide scholarship program. This year’s event was a digital showcase where participants were evaluated in the categories of Scholastics (25%), Interview (25%), Talent (20%), Fitness (15%) and Self-Expression (15%).

 

Cosette, the daughter of Samuel Wu and Kristen Lee, won a $4,500 cash scholarship, a trip to the Distinguished Young Women National Finals, a 4-year tuition scholarship to Hawaii Pacific University (HPU), and wardrobe for Nationals from Jams World.

 

Cosette also took home additional cash scholarship sof $1,000 each as the Top Scholar, as an Interview awardee, and as a Talent winner for her classical piano performance. Cosettewill have the opportunity to win a $30,000 cash scholarship when she represents Hawaii in June at the National Finals in Mobile, Alabama. In the fall, she hopes to attend Harvard College.

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Sophia Stark of Honolulu, was 1st runner-up and was awarded a $3,500 cash scholarship and a $12,000 HPU tuition scholarship. Stark also won $1,000 for an Interview award, and $500 each for the Fitness and Be Your Best Self Essay awards. Sophia is the daughter of Darel and Georgine Stark, and is homeschooled.

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The 2nd runner-up award went to Ellie Sampson, a senior at Punahou School and the daughter of Jeffery Sampson and Shizuho Omori. Ellie won a $2,500cash scholarship and a $12,000 HPU tuition scholarship. She also received a $500 Self Expression award.

 

Jiana Abela Nakashima, a Mililani High School senior, was the 3rd runner-up and the recipient of a $1,500 cash scholarship and a $12,000 HPU tuition scholarship. In addition, Jiana won $500 each in cash scholarships for her Fitness and Self Expression awards. She is the daughter of Wayne and Kim Abela Nakashima.

 

Other award winners include: Alyse Glaser, Sacred Hearts Academy - $1,000 Scholastic runner-up; Isabella Gismundo-Hook, Mililani High School - $1,000 Talent award for her color guard performance.

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Click here for an official press release:  

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Punahou Senior Named 2021 Distinguished Young Woman of Hawaii

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Go to our Distinguished Young Women of Hawai'i Facebook page to watch the 2021 Virtual State Finals: DYW of Hawaii Facebook Page