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Andrea Narvaez-Santos of Rutherfordton has returned to classes at Rutherford Early College High School (REaCH) after competing in the Distinguished Young Women of North Carolina program in Greensboro last month. At the conclusion of the program, Andrea won a Preliminary Award in Fitness, and Overall Awards in Interview and Self-Expression.
Susan Claire Bailey of Roxboro was named the 2025 Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) of North Carolina. She received a total of $11,600 in cash scholarships.
Among those in the audience to cheer Andrea, in addition to family and friends, were the Distinguished Young Women of Rutherford County (Class of 2026). They will participate in the Rutherford County program on March 22 at the Foundation, Isothermal Community College.
"Your hard work, talent, and poise lit up the stage and made Rutherford County proud," said one supporter.
Andrea's road to Greensboro began a year ago when she said she took a leap of faith to join the Distinguished Young Women program in Rutherford County.
"It was a very intimidating decision because I had no idea the amount of work and dedication it would take. It ended up being one of the best decisions of my life because the growth that I have made over the past year could not have been achieved without it," Andrea said. "I have pushed myself in every aspect, my confidence has exponentially grown due to the prep that has come with public speaking and being able to eloquently and confidently deliver an interview question on stage and in a panel of judges."
Andrea said the fitness portion "has totally transformed my mind and body by allowing me to become the strongest I have ever been before which also led me to win a preliminary in fitness."
While in Greensboro the DYW candidates attended daily seminars to learn about resumes, the environment, and interviews. "By far the best thing I learned is the importance of connection with others, and to recognize that everyone is a winner in their own right. We all have something that makes us special whether that be our talent, our poise, or the ability to make each other smile. Each individual is unique in their own way, and through my experience I have learned to see the value in myself and others to unite and work together," Andrea said.
Andrea was named the DYW for Rutherford County last March and said she is more than proud to represent Rutherford County.
"I find myself representing Rutherford County in many different ways mostly by getting involved with my community like doing various events throughout the year in food and clothing drives, assisting with STEAM camps at the G-Team Community Center, and even getting to represent western North Carolina at the NC Department of Instruction Convention in Raleigh to demonstrate STEAM education in my community with my robotics team," she said.
Andrea shares the best piece of advice she received during her time in Greensboro was from the former DYW of North Carolina Haynes Lewis, who said,"You have everything to show, but nothing to prove." Andrea said hearing that from someone who had been so successful in the program, reassured her that medal or no medal the true value of the experience would ultimately be how much she learned and the message that she would be able to share with people by the end of her journey.
For the upperclassmen in Rutherford County high schools, Andrea advises the students to take every opportunity that comes their way, but also have the responsibility and time management skills to be able to put a best foot forward in different areas.
"Putting yourself out there and taking a leap of faith are so important during your last few years of high school because there could be an amazing opportunity around the corner that you might never have known if you had not taken the risk to try," Andrea said.
While at REaCH, Andrea has been involved in student government, yearbook, quiz bowl, and culture club for the past couple of years. She said she has spent most of her time in robotics with the 5727 OmegaBytes.
She also enjoys taking walks, listening to music, swimming and watching movies. Andrea plans to major in political science and business law with a concentration in marketing in college.
