Participants in this year’s Covington County Distinguished Young Woman program say the experience has not only been fun, but that they feel they’ve made friendships that could last a lifetime.

“The best experience has been all the new friendships I have created,” said Emily Kelley. “It’s so nice to bond with girls from different schools and better old friendships as well!”

One event that helped the group bond was a slumber party. Sydney Brunson said it was the best part so far.

“The best part has definitely been the slumber party one of our participants threw for us,” she said. “It was a great bonding time with movies, laughs, and awesome food.”

Katherine Dean said, “Hanging out with the other girls has by far been the best part of this. These are all funny, sweet, and all around fabulous girls, and I’m so lucky to know them now!

Eight young women are vying for the title of Covington County’s Distinguished Young Woman for 2014, and the winner compete in the state event. The public portion of the program is set for 7 p.m. this Sat., July 20, in the Dixon Center on the LBW campus.

While the young participants have had fun preparing for the show, they’ve also worked hard. Some have found preparation for the interview most difficult, others say the fitness portion is a challenge.

Sneha Bang, who dances with the Andalusia Ballet and is frequently on the stage, said the most difficult part has been preparing for the judges’ interview.

“I have not done anything like it before,” she said.

“Anyone that has every participated in the program knows that it takes a lot of preparation and dedication,” Jordan McInnis said.

That has been true of the fitness portion for Dean.

“ Fitness has definitely been the hardest part,” she said. “I’m not exactly the most physically fit person. It’s been hard, but everyone has been really supportive and that has made it a lot better.”

Kelley also has found the fitness portion challenging.

“If I can pick one category it would be fitness,” she said. “Although it is the hardest part of this program, I really am starting to appreciate learning the strengths and weaknesses that I wasn’t aware I had!”

Brunson had a totally different answer.

“The only part that has been hard for me is dancing in high heels; it’s a killer on the feet,” she said. “Some advice I would give (future participants) would be push yourself, get some comfortable heels (if such a thing exists), and have fun with it.”

Even though the program requires many weeks of preparation, the participants agreed the work is worthwhile.

“My advice would be not to stress so much and just go and have fun and be yourself,” Bang said.

“No matter what, be yourself and be the absolute best that you can be,” Kelley said. “I have been keeping this in mind throughout the journey and it has really helped me work hard to be the best that I can be!”

McInnis said, “No matter what, be yourself and be the absolute best that you can be! I have been keeping this in mind throughout the journey and it has really helped me work hard to be the best that I can be!”

Dean said she would tells girls who are considering participation, “Go for it.”

“This is a fantastic program,” she said. “Even if you don’t win, you learn so much that you’ll use later in life.”

Other participants include Hope Caton, Katie Lindsey and Ali Jackson.