The annual Distinguished Young Women of Oakdale program will be held on Saturday, March 7, at 6:30 p.m. at Magnolia School Auditorium. Soroptimist International of Oakdale has sponsored the scholarship program for the past 38 years. Oakdale High School senior Avery Gleason currently holds the title of Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman for the Class of 2026.
Founded in 1958, Distinguished Young Women is a free program that encourages participants to reach their full individual potential. The program empowers young women by providing over $1 billion in scholarship opportunities, connecting with a nationwide network of women, developing their self-confidence, and participating in Life Skills Workshops that prepare them for success after high school.
Oakdale’s program features 12 participants from Oakdale High School’s Class of 2027: Dakota Burford, Isabella Camorlinga, Ella Christensen, Audrey Clark, Zeidy Cornejo, Karlie Felix, Emma Humphrey, Summer McGinnis, Peyton O’Neal, Lilly Plascensia, Mikayla Seymour, and Claire Tolboe. They will compete in five categories: Scholastics, Talent, Fitness, Interview, and Self Expression for the Distinguished Young Woman of Oakdale title as well as category and other scholarship awards. The participant selected as Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman will go on to compete in the Distinguished Young Women of California Class of 2027 program this summer.
The program will also showcase last year’s participants including Avery Barcelos, Zoe Byron, Julia Chavez, Tatiana Gonzalez, Kennedy Hayden, Taylor Krum, Ava-Maria Leijten, Samantha Oliveira, Ashlyn Parola, London Pattan-Mitchell, Iyska Rangel, Hayden Taylor, and Hannah Turpin, in addition to Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman Avery Gleason. Tickets are $15 for adults and $6 for children and students and may be purchased online at sioakdale.org and at the event. The doors will open for tickets and seating at 6 p.m. For more information, contact Nancy Lilly at 209-607-7605 or Email oakdale@distinguishedyw.org.
Portraits of the participants were provided courtesy of Antoinette Ryun, Gallery Custom Framing.
Dakota Burford
Dakota would like to attend Cal Baptist University and study to become a forensic psychologist following graduation from Oakdale High School. Active on the OHS campus, Dakota participates on the soccer, flag football, and track teams. She also participates in theatre and choir. Dakota is a member of FFA as well as the on-campus Leo Club and 100 Students Club. She has earned her Academic Block O for her efforts in the classroom.
Dakota has received awards for All-League First Team Soccer and the Mustang Award for flag football. She has also participated in and received awards at Poetry Out Loud competitions. Dakota has volunteered her time with the OHS Sports Boosters, S Club, and Leo Club. In her free time, Dakota enjoys painting, reading, writing poetry and stories, listening to music, Broadway shows, theatre, and singing. Supporting Dakota in all that she does are her parents Seth and Jill Burford and siblings Wes and Skyler.
Isabella Camorlinga
Isabella aspires to have a career in musical theatre and opera and would like to attend a university to continue her education in the performing arts field. Isabella participates in choir and theatre at Oakdale High School and will be playing Cinderella in their upcoming musical, Into The Woods. She is studying voice by dual enrollment at Modesto Junior College and is a member of their Voice Choir. Isabella has performed with the theatre companies Hutton’s Hamlet, Yes! Company, and Gallo Center Youth Academy, and has also performed with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Opera Modesto Institute. She has studied ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop performing with the dance companies Valley Oak School of Dance, Juline, 5678 Dance Studio, and Central West Ballet. At OHS, Isabella serves on the S Club board, participates in the Sacred Heart Club, and received recognition by the Oakdale Joint Unified School District for her participation in the Honor Choir. In her free time, Isabella volunteers at Opera Modesto events and the Yes! Company and enjoys drawing, traveling, video games, and piano. She also enjoys Bible study and strives to honor her faith through her everyday life. Encouraging Isabella in all that she does are her parents Miguel and Damarys Camorlinga.
Ella Christensen
Following graduation from Oakdale High School, Ella would like to attend St. Mary’s College and major in business administration. Ella is active on the OHS campus as a member of the softball and volleyball teams. Her community service activities include volunteering for the school’s S Club as well as coaching 10 and under softball. In her free time, Ella enjoys playing softball, baking, drawing, and being in nature. Encouraging Ella in everything she does are her parents Grant and Jennifer Christensen and siblings Jed and Gracie.
Audrey Clark
Audrey would like to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to study architecture after graduation from Oakdale High School. Active on the OHS campus, Audrey is a Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) leader and has served in a leadership role for the California Scholastic Federation Club. Audrey is a past member of the Debate Club and currently volunteers with the S Club, 100 Students Club, and Leo Club. A three-sport athlete, Audrey participates on the varsity track, tennis, and basketball teams. She has earned awards in all three sports, was selected as a two-time AAU Junior Olympics qualifier, and medaled at the Valley Oak League 2024 Track Championships in the high jump event. Audrey’s community service activities include coaching Magnolia Elementary’s sixth grade basketball program and volunteering for many S Club and OHS basketball events as well as FCA and Love Oakdale. Her interests include architecture, psychology, true crime, basketball, cats, and NASA. Always on the sidelines rooting for Audrey are her parents John and Melissa Clark.
Zeidy Cornejo
Following graduation from Oakdale High School, Zeidy would like to attend the University of Hawaii or any faith-based four-year university and study to become a kinesiology professional in athletics or sports performance. Active on the OHS campus, Zeidy is a member of the cross country and track and field teams. Zeidy participates in school clubs and was on the Honor Roll throughout junior high. Outside of school, Zeidy participates in church-oriented activities including youth group and church choir, and has served as President of Junior and Youth Group Leadership. She has also won a Bible competition. Zeidy volunteers her time with church cleaning, Love Riverbank and Love Modesto, and as an AAU and County Clash track meet volunteer. In her free time, Zeidy enjoys running, hiking, reading, worship praise choir, paddleboarding, swimming, skateboarding, and adventuring. Supporting Zeidy in all of her endeavors are her mother Perla Cornejo and sister Zoey.
Karlie Felix
Karlie would like to attend San Diego State University following graduation from Oakdale High School and study marketing and public relations. At OHS, Karlie is active on the varsity softball team. During her time on the junior varsity softball team, Karlie helped her team win a Valley Oak League (VOL) championship. Karlie has also played soccer and was selected Most Improved as she helped her team win a VOL championship her freshman year. Karlie is Vice President of the Travel Club and was one of the FFA secretaries for the 2025 Opening and Closing Ceremonies team. Karlie has provided community service at Cloverland and Magnolia Elementary Schools’ Santa’s Workshops and Cloverland’s Family Fun Night. She has also volunteered her time with Oakdale Baseball/Softball Association’s Opening Day, OHS softball clinic, FFA poinsettia handout, Sconza Candy Factory anniversary celebration, and the Riverbank Federated Women’s Club Holiday Table Decorating luncheon. Karlie works part time at Home Goods. In her free time, Karlie enjoys softball, soccer, drawing, traveling, hanging out with friends, listening to music, decorating, snow skiing, tubing, swimming with friends, playing board games with her brothers, and floral design. Encouraging Karlie in all of her endeavors are her parents Antonio and Kellie Felix, and brothers Alex and Kaden.
Emma Humphrey
Following graduation from Oakdale High School, Emma would like to attend UC Santa Barbara and study communications. Emma is active on the OHS campus as a member of the cheer team and the leadership class helping with the school’s publicity and social media presence. She has earned her Academic Block O and Athletic Block O awards for her efforts in the classroom and sports. Emma’s on-campus service activities include helping with the Mini Mustangs cheer program, hallway decorating, and float building. Outside of school, Emma enjoys dance and takes ballet, jazz, and tap at Valley Oak School of Dance. In her free time, Emma enjoys Disney movies and babysitting. Supporting Emma in all of her endeavors are her parents Philip and Jenny Humphrey and brothers Ryan, Tanner, Cameron, and Keegan.
Summer McGinnis
Summer would like to attend UC Santa Cruz and study business with the career goal of becoming an entrepreneur. Summer participates in sports at Oakdale High School as a member of the Valley Oak League Champion cross country and track teams. In between her events, Summer helps run the Oakdale-hosted meets. Summer was active in band performing at school events and earned awards at band reviews and competitions during her freshman year. Outside of school, Summer studies dance and has performed shows at Disneyland with her dance company, Valley Oak School of Dance. Summer’s interests include fashion, the beach, shells, painting, romcoms, summer, creating, traveling, and making memories. She also enjoys crafting, acting, bodyboarding, and volunteering with the Oakdale Young Entrepreneur program. Supporting Summer in all of her endeavors are her parents Ross and Sandy McGinnis and brother Sean.
Peyton O’Neal
Peyton would like to attend Brigham Young University, Hawaii and study liberal arts with the career goal of becoming a teacher. Active in leadership on the Oakdale High School campus, Peyton is a two-year Chapter FFA officer, served as Sophomore Class Vice President, and currently serves as Junior Class Secretary. Peyton is also a member of the Varsity Cheerleading team. Encouraging Peyton in all of her endeavors are her parents David and Stacey O’Neal, brother Steele, and sisters Kylee, Olivia, and Quinn.
Lilly Plascensia
Lilly would like to attend UC San Diego to major in medicine with the goal of becoming a pediatric neurology physician assistant. Active on the Oakdale High School campus, Lilly plays softball and received the 2025 Oakdale Softball Coaches Award for her efforts on the field. Lilly has also earned the Kiwanis Hope of America Award and placed third in an AAUW speech contest. Lilly has volunteered her time as a St. Mary’s Church Summer Youth Camp counselor, tutor, Oakdale Baseball/Softball Association volunteer, and at Magnolia Elementary’s Parent/Teacher Club events. Her interests include art, history, visiting museums, Jane Austen literature, and movies. Lilly’s favorite activities are hiking, bike riding, reading, baking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. Encouraging Lilly in everything she does are her parents Hector and Jessica Plascensia and siblings Cristian, Sarah, and Sophia.
Mikayla Seymour
With an interest in the medical field, Mikayla would like to attend Boise State University and study to become a nurse or surgeon. Mikayla is active on the Oakdale High School campus participating in cheerleading, dance, and Future Farmers of America (FFA). She has volunteered with Love Oakdale for many years, helped with FFA dinners, and cheer fundraising. Mikayla has also volunteered her time with non-profits The Miracle League, which provides opportunities for children with disabilities to play baseball, as well as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Cheering Mikayla on in all that she does are her parents Mike and Hilary Seymour and sisters Mikenna and Mikenzie.
Claire Tolboe
Following graduation from Oakdale High School, Claire would like to attend BYU Hawaii to study medicine with the career goal of becoming a physician assistant. Claire is a member of the OHS water polo, swim, and basketball teams. Her efforts in the pool earned her awards as Best Offensive Player for water polo, Section finals for swimming, and was named to the Valley Oak League’s Second Team in water polo. Claire currently serves as Junior Class Vice President and is an Honor Roll student. She has logged many community service hours for water polo, leadership, basketball, church, and Love Oakdale events. Claire’s interests and activities include sports, reading, violin, baking, and lifeguarding. Supporting Claire in all of her endeavors are her parents Dr. Christian and Jennilyn Tolboe and siblings Landon, Brooklyn, and Adalyn.
For more information about Distinguished Young Women, contact Carly Hudson, National Headquarters Marketing and Communications Director, 251-438-3621. For more information about Soroptimist International of Oakdale, Email sioakdale@soroptimist.net or visit their website and Oakdale Soroptimist Facebook and Instagram social media pages.
