Zoey Horst was named the 2025 Distinguished Young Woman of Christian County during the competition held at the historic Alhambra Theatre on Sunday.
Horst was one of 10 competitors in the annual event that is part of a national scholarship program that promotes and rewards scholastics, leadership, and talent in young women.
Horst, who is homeschooled, will earn a scholarship for higher education, attend the DYW Life Skills Workshops, and make new friends from around the state.
After college, her career goal is to perform on Broadway and work in musical theater.
Others who were up for the title of Distinguished Young Woman of Christian County were Kenady Gray, Katie Isaacs, Skylar Kirby, Claire Lacy, Alyssa Meyer, Susanna Sargeant, Zaylei St. Martin, McKenzie Williamson, and Rebecca Wood.
Each participant competed in five categories: talent, fitness, interview, scholastic, and self-expression.
Known as the largest and oldest scholarship program for women in the country, DYW began nationwide in 1958 and was quickly adopted in Christian County. A hiatus in Hopkinsville from 1995 until 2009 did little to slow down its recent impact.
Counties that don’t host their own DYW competition such as Caldwell, Hopkins, Lyon, Todd, and Trigg are eligible to enter the Western Kentucky At-Large competition, scheduled for September 14 at Western Kentucky University. The deadline to apply is August 26 with details available at distiguisghedyw.org.