Neshannock teenager follows in her sister's DYW-winning footsteps | Local News

She's just a high school student, but Aadyson Sumner said yes to the dress.

The Neshannock High student is not getting married. But she is the 2025 Lawrence County Distinguished Young Woman, a title she received Saturday while wearing the same dress her sister Aaliyah Smith wore as a DYW state winner five years ago.

The accomplishment marks not only the gown's second triumph, but also the first time in the history of the scholarship program that sisters have won the county title.

“It’s really special,” Aadyson said. “I remember when she won, I was so happy for her and I always wanted to grow up and be like her.

“It was such a surreal moment to wear her dress on stage and win the same title that she won.”

Bringing the garment to the Scottish Rite Cathedral stage for a second DYW go-around was a mutual decision.

“It was kind of both of us,” Aadyson said. “It fit me and she said, 'You should just wear it.' It suits you.' »

Still, the dress wasn't the only thing Aadyson received from Aaliyah. There was also some brotherly advice.

“It was a combination of 'just be yourself and be confident in yourself' and 'keep your shoulders high,'” Aadyson said, “and just know that whatever the outcome, you should be proud of yourself.”

In addition to the overall title of the night, Aadyson also won the Interview Award, one of six awards on which contestants are judged. The others are Mind, Learning, Fitness, Self-Expression and Talent.

For Aadyson, the interview ended up being a case of nerves that never happened.

“I arrived pretty early for my interview, but honestly, I didn't have a lot of time to be nervous,” she said. “They were running ahead, and when I got there, it was like, 'You can go and go in.'

“So I walked in and the judges were so nice. They asked great questions and made me feel at ease. It was such a great experience that will prepare me for my future and I was really happy to be a part of it.

Confident that she had done well in the interview, Aadyson said she was anything but when it came time to announce the night's winner.

“I was really nervous,” said the daughter of Dan and Alissa Sumner. “But all the girls were so amazing. I would have been happy for anyone to win, it was such a good group of girls. From the start of that day, we all knew it could have been any of us.

“When they told me I had won I was completely in awe and I was so happy for everyone who finished second. I was so happy to be able to be a part of this group of girls because they were so amazing.

Program chair Rosanne Palladino called Aadyson a worthy winner.

“She is a very special young woman with excellent qualities and therefore deserves this title,” she said.

Aadyson’s long-term goal, after graduating from Neshannock in 2025, will be to attend the College of Charleston (South Carolina) to become a marine biologist.

“I have always been captivated by the ocean and wanted to contribute to its conservation,” she said. “I think it’s very important that as humans living here we also help our environment.

“I've always been fascinated by it and also wanted to be involved in learning more about the ocean, because there's so much we don't know, and I would love to be a part of it.”

In the more immediate future, Aadyson will prepare for the Pennsylvania Distinguished Young Woman program, scheduled for July 27 in Pittsburgh. As it's a title her sister has also won, Aadyson is looking to do the same.

“There’s definitely a bit of rivalry,” she said. “But I know she’ll be useful too.”