Renton Student Wins Scholarship After 200 Service Hours

A Renton High School senior who believes education can change the world just earned recognition that will help her prove it.

Naomi Dancer, the school's Associated Student Body president, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Shareece S. Hayes Finer Womanhood Scholarship from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. The award recognizes young women in King and Snohomish counties who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a heart for service.

Dancer checked every box. She logged more than 200 hours of community service while maintaining her grades and leading her school. Her dedication caught the attention of Governor Bob Ferguson, who named her "Washingtonian of the Day."

This fall, Dancer heads to North Carolina A&T State University to pursue a double major in secondary education and biology. Her goal is clear: inspire the next generation through teaching.

"I believe education is one of the most powerful tools for change," Dancer said. "Seeing students gain confidence and understanding reminded me of the impact that patience, encouragement, and strong mentorship can have."

The Ripple Effect

The scholarship honors Soror Shareece S. Hayes, a founding member of the Rho Lambda Zeta Chapter and lifelong advocate for youth and education. By supporting students like Dancer, the organization creates a cycle of mentorship that extends far beyond one classroom or community.

Chapter members said Dancer embodies their core principles: scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood. The SeaTac-based chapter continues offering scholarships and programs that uplift youth, empower women, and strengthen communities across the region.

For Dancer, the scholarship represents more than financial support. It connects her to a network of women committed to the same vision she carries: that education, paired with compassion, can transform lives.

She's already changing her community, and she hasn't even started her first education class yet.