This year’s Distinguished Young Women theme of “A star is born” was evident as 17 senior girls walked the stage Saturday at Norton Auditorium, with three girls being named county representatives for northwest Alabama. 

Franklin County had three girls participate in this year’s Distinguished Young Women’s program: Russellville’s Amara Qualls and Alivia Clemmons and Red Bay’s Bailey Bolton. Bolton was chosen by judges to represent Franklin County at this year’s Distinguished Young Women’s state program.

“I was not expecting that at all, and it feels like a dream,” Bolton said.

Bolton received a $1,000 cash scholarship for being chosen as the Franklin County representative. Clemmons was named first runner-up and received a $500 scholarship, and Qualls was second runner-up with a $300 scholarship.

The Distinguished Young Women program awards participants cash scholarships based on inner beauty. The girls are judged based on scholastics, interview, talent, fitness and self-expression.

Winners in each category received a $200 cash scholarship, with Bolton winning in fitness, self-expression and talent and Clemmons taking first in scholastics for Franklin County.

The girls spent the week together preparing for the program. 

The program focuses on empowering young women to become their best selves, and the contestants echoed that statement throughout the night as each told how the program allowed them to develop into someone with confidence.

Last year’s Franklin County representative, Elizabeth Pierce, took her final walk as Franklin County Distinguished Young Women’s representative Saturday night.