WORCESTER—Doherty Memorial High School senior Dea Kamberi has been named the 2025 Distinguished Young Woman of Massachusetts, marking the first time a Worcester Public Schools student has received the honor.
The prestigious title recognizes Dea’s outstanding achievements in academics, talent, leadership, and fitness. She will now represent Massachusetts at the national competition this summer in Alabama, where she will compete against top students from across the country for college scholarships.
The Distinguished Young Women (DYW) program, the nation’s largest and oldest scholarship program for high school girls, evaluates participants in five key areas: scholastics, interview, talent, fitness, and self-expression. Dea’s exceptional performance in all categories made her a standout choice.
A true scholar, Dea is valedictorian of Doherty’s Class of 2025 and has excelled in dual enrollment courses at Quinsigamond Community College. She also showcased her artistic side in the competition with a piano performance that underscored her well-rounded abilities.
“Dea approaches every challenge with discipline and attention to detail that few students possess,” her school counselor, Kristen Montgomery, said in the announcement. “Her intellectual curiosity and passion for helping others make her a leader in our school community.”
Beyond academics, Dea is deeply involved in community service. As a participant in the Bank of America Student Leaders Program and an intern at the Boys and Girls Club of Worcester, she has demonstrated a strong sense of initiative and social responsibility.
Her success in the DYW competition reflects the core values of Worcester Public Schools—intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a commitment to growth.
Next, Dea is bringing her talents to the national stage in Alabama, competing for additional scholarships and the opportunity to further her academic and personal development.
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