When Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) alumna Daisha Wilks learned she had been selected to compete on CBS’s The Amazing Race, she could hardly believe it. Wilks and her fiancé Dalton Hamby will shine a light on Northeast Alabama when Season 39 of the show premiers on September 30, 2026. 

“We were absolutely thrilled, and we honestly couldn’t believe it was real,” Wilks said of she and Hamby getting the news. “We’re two small-town kids from Alabama, so the opportunity to compete on one of the longest-running reality shows in tv history was something we never imagined would happen to us.”

Wilks, a 2018 graduate of Northeast, said the experience felt especially surreal given the thousands of applicants who hope to be chosen for each new season of the competition. “We did the research and found out there’s about a 0.03% chance of being selected for the show, which made the moment feel even more surreal,” said Wilks. “We were ecstatic, grateful, and ready to give it everything we had!”

 Daisha’s partner for the Amazing Race is her fiancé, Dalton Hamby. The couple met while attending Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama. Representing Northeast Alabama well on a national stage is something Wilks and Hamby made a priority throughout the race. “We’re proud of where we come from, and we hope people watching will see that you don’t have to come from a big city to have big dreams,” she said. “We are just two small-town kids who decided to take a chance, and that led us to The Amazing Race.”

Wilks and Hamby made sure to lean in to their Southern roots with them across the world. “We didn’t just bring the hospitality with us, we also made sure to show off the competitive nature that’s ingrained in every Southerner,” said Wilks. “Growing up in Northeast Alabama taught us to be friendly, hardworking, to look out for one another, and to never back down from a challenge. We definitely carried those values with us throughout the race. No matter where we were in the world, we were proud to carry the spirit of Northeast Alabama with us.”

Wilks hopes her journey will inspire even one person to believe in themselves and to chase a dream they may have never thought possible. Reflecting on the experience, she shared one moment she says she will remember for the rest of her life. “The very first day of the race, we lined up in front of [The Amazing Race host] Phil. I’ve watched the show for years, so standing there in person was awesome!” she remembered excitedly. “Hearing Phil say, ‘Is everybody ready? The world is waiting for you… Good luck, travel safe. Go!’ was one of those moments that made us realize this is really happening. Realizing we were actually part of this experience instead of just watching from home is a moment we’ll never forget.”

When asked what advice she would give to current NACC students who dream of stepping out of their comfort zones, Wilks said, “Take a chance and do it! Sometimes you just have to make it happen, even if the timing isn’t perfect.” 

She recounted a dauting moment when she arrived for The Amazing Race that could have affected her entire experience. “I actually had a panic attack,” Wilks explained. “In that moment, I had a choice: I could go back home to what was comfortable and familiar, or I could push through the fear and do something completely out of my comfort zone. I chose to push through, and I’m so glad I did!”

   Wilks said the experience taught her that sometimes things that scare us the most can lead to the most incredible opportunities. For her, taking that leap was not only a lesson in overcoming fear, but also a reflection of the preparation she gained during her time at Northeast. As she reflected on her journey from being on campus at NACC to a global stage, she is grateful for the people and opportunities who helped shape her along the way.

“I really enjoyed my experience at Northeast Alabama Community College and felt extremely prepared to continue my education at a four year college after graduating,” Wilks said. “I’m especially thankful for Dr. Rodney Land, who taught me in most of my science classes. He always had a smile on his face and such a positive attitude that made coming to class fun. His impact, along with the faculty and staff at Northeast, made my experience truly memorable.

“We know not everyone has the opportunity or desire to travel, but we’ve always loved documenting our adventures, meeting people from different cultures, and connecting with people around the world. Now, we’d love for our hometown and Northeast Alabama to come along with us on those journeys. We hope our story inspires others to dream big, step outside their comfort zone, and see what’s possible!”

Season 39 of The Amazing Race is set to premier on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Tune in to see Daisha’s journey on CBS this fall, or follow along with Daisha’s adventures on YouTube at @Daisha.Dalton.