Navarro High School Junior Kaylee Henley Named Guadalupe County’s 2026 Distinguished Young Woman
GERONIMO, TX — March 9, 2026 — On March 1, Navarro High School junior Kaylee Henley was officially crowned the 2026 Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) of Guadalupe County. This prestigious title, part of a long-standing national tradition formerly known as "Junior Miss," recognizes high school young women for their excellence in scholastics, leadership, and talent.
Henley’s victory comes with significant financial support for her future education. She was awarded a $1,250 scholarship from local patrons and a $8,000 scholarship to Texas Lutheran University (TLU). Additionally, Henley earned a $200 award for winning the Self-Expression category, where she moved judges with her sincere response regarding the importance of confidence in the next generation of young women.
For Henley, the win is more than a personal milestone; it is a family tradition. Her mother, Tiffany Henley, a teacher at Navarro Junior High and a former DYW contestant herself, previously won the talent portion of the program. "As a former contestant, I encouraged Kaylee to join for the unique experience of empowering, uplifting, and connecting with other young women," said Tiffany Henley. "To see her represent Navarro and Guadalupe County with such grace and determination makes my heart overflow with pride."
The competition concluded in an emotional ceremony where Henley was joined on stage by her peers, including first runner-up Kimberly Patiño. "When they read out my contestant number, I felt myself glow," Kaylee recalled. "There were so many outstanding young women on that stage. I just felt immense pride as I walked to receive my bouquet and medal from the 2025 winner and my dear friend, Eleanor."
While Henley is grateful for the opportunities at TLU, she has set her sights on Brown University, where she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Psychiatry. Her goal is to work in psychiatric institutions focusing on adolescent mental health, aiming to become the first member of her family to earn a doctoral degree.
As a representative of Navarro ISD and the broader county, Kaylee hopes her platform inspires other young women—particularly those from minority backgrounds. "I want them to know that anything is possible and that being yourself is enough," Kaylee said. "To every young woman considering this program: give yourself the credit and courage to try. Distinguished Young Women will always welcome you with an open door and a smile."
About Distinguished Young Women
Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is the oldest and largest scholarship program for high school girls. It has provided over $1 billion in scholarship opportunities nationwide, focusing on "Life Skills" such as public speaking, interviewing, and professional development.
Henley will move on to represent the Seguin Guadalupe County community at the state-level competition, with the ultimate goal of reaching the National Finals in June 2027 following her high school graduation.