DYW Contestants and Host Moms Enjoy Lunch at Cattlemen’s Association
The Distinguished Young Women of Alabama contestants had a fun lunch with their host moms, courtesy of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. They warmly welcomed the DYW contestants and their host moms to their downtown Montgomery facility.
During their week of rehearsals and preparation for this big weekend, each contestant stays with a host family in Montgomery County. The contestants get to share the experience of being away from their friends and family as they get ready for the upcoming finals and only have each other and their host families to lean on for support.
“We’re all in the same place,” stated Erin Mitchell who is the DYW contestant from Montgomery County. “We don’t have our phones for the whole week; we don’t get to talk to anybody we would normally talk to. So, it’s been so cool to build such genuine friendships and build that confidence on and off stage with each other.”
“It’s good to know that if you have a struggle, there’s likely someone out of the 43 girls in the room that’s struggling with the same thing you are,” stated Gracen Murphy who is the DYW contestant from Autauga County. “You always have someone to go to and someone to talk to and someone to lean on and I think that’s what’s been so important about this weekend and being away from everything is really… we’re forced to get to know each other but in the best way possible. I’ve loved getting to meet everybody. It’s been fabulous.”
The fun festivities throughout the week helps the young women take a short needed break from rehearsals to just relax and enjoy each other’s company.
The Distinguished Young Women of Alabama preliminary rounds start Friday night at Frazer Church with the finals taking place Saturday night.
