MAGIC VALLEY — Hannah Copmann, a recent Minico High School graduate, will be representing the state of Idaho in the Distinguished Young Woman national competition, but her experience during this competition will be different than years in the past.
Copmann was scheduled to spend two weeks in Alabama competing in the national competition, but due to COVID-19, the competition is being held virtually.
"And I checked my email, and I definitely had a mental breakdown at first, I was like oh my gosh I was so excited. Because for me it was not competing I was so excited to go and meet my host family and have this experience, but then it registered in my mind that they're doing the best they can," Copmann said.
Copmann says the one thing she'll miss the most is not being able to meet the other girls face-to-face.
"When I went to state, yes we practiced every day, fitness maybe six or seven times, but my favorite part was when we're sitting down at lunch and girls are saying 'oh my legs are dead' or 'let's talk about my boyfriend,' just talking about these life experiences and getting to know each girl. That's my favorite part and getting to know all the amazing women that put together the program," Copmann said.
And for the committee, the state director says they are using this as a learning experience.
"It's all around impacting the entire event, but everyone's making the most of it. We have some positive experiences as well. Some of the programs have said, 'oh my goodness, I learned some things I don't have to worry about in the live show next year,'" Darady Van Orden Michaelson, State Chairman of the Distinguished Young Women of Idaho, said.
