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Leila Kelly’s senior year at Morgan Academy is off to a great start as she was recently named the Distinguished Young Woman of Dallas County for 2024.

With the title, Kelly earned $3,000 in scholarships. She was among five other girls who competed for the title at Selma High School. 

“I am so honored to be DYW of Dallas County,” Kelly said. “[I am] Extra thankful for all of the people who spent hours of their time. It was such a great experience. All of us worked really hard and it definitely paid off. The relationships I made with this program are ones that I will not forget. I am so excited to represent Dallas County at the state level.”

Kelly will compete for the state title representing Dallas County on Jan. 19-20 in Montgomery. The national competition will be held in Alabama in June 2024 at the Mobile Civic Center theater.

Claire Johnson, a senior at Morgan Academy, was named first alternate. Taylor Roberts, a senior at Morgan Academy, was named second alternate.

Madison Gayle, a senior at Selma High, Anne Frances Pearce, a senior at Morgan Academy, and Madge Minter, a senior at Morgan Academy, also competed.

The DYW was founded in 1958. Dallas County always had a program and a representative since 1977 and relies on support from businesses and individuals in the community.

“We are very fortunate to have businesses and individuals to continue to support this program,” DWY Chairman Demisha Stough said.  “We want every girl in our community to have the opportunity to experience this amazing program that allows them to earn scholarships, build self-esteem, and make new friends.”