Franklin County’s Distinguished Young Women representative, Red Bay’s Bailey Bolton, is back in Franklin County after more than a week away with the state Distinguished Young Women’s program.

Bolton left Red Bay Jan. 10 and lived with a host family in Montgomery while participating in the program.

Bolton said although she did not make the top eight in the program, she was able to grow as a person by being around so many great young women.

“I literally gained 43 best friends in my time there,” Bolton said. “All of the girls there were so great, so being down there with them made me feel special.”

Sunday through Friday consisted of long days of rehearsal, learning new dance routines to perform in the program.

“There were a lot of long days, but it was a lot of fun,” Bolton said.

Bolton’s interview was Friday morning, with the program beginning Friday night and continuing Saturday afternoon and Saturday night.

Contestants were judged on scholastics, interview, talent, fitness and self-expression. For her talent, Bolton played the guitar and sang Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.”

She said even though her time participating in the Distinguished Young Women program is almost over, she is already ready for the local program in August to meet more amazing young women and share how the program has influenced her.