DEMOPOLIS &045; Gracie Smith will leave Friday for Montgomery where she will prepare for the Alabama Junior Miss Scholarship Program.

Smith will represent Marengo County in the contest that brings in girls from the across the state to compete for scholarship opportunities and a chance to compete on the national level. Smith won the Marengo County Junior Miss title in 2006.

Smith will be in Montgomery through Sunday, Jan. 21 in connection with the program. She and 53 girls from across the state will learn their routines for the opening number, fitness and poise contest once they arrive in Montgomery though they will make other preparations prior to leaving.

During their ten day stay in Montgomery the Junior Miss participants will make several special appearances with area groups including the Kiwanis Club, Cattleman’s Association, Lion’s Club as wall as an appearance at Dalraidia Elementary.

Smith said her talent portion of the competition would be a performance of a song and dance from the Broadway show &8220;Wicked.&8221; She said she hopes to get scholarship opportunities by placing in the program.

Smith said she plans to attend college at Vanderbilt and study law. She said this scholarship opportunity would help her reach that end. She said she hopes to make it to the American Junior Miss in Mobile that will be held sometime in June.

While in Montgomery Smith will be unable to receive calls or e-mails but people can expresses their support for her by sending cards, packages and other items delivered care of her host parents in Montgomery, the McMullins, at 8312 Longneedle Dr., Montgomery, Ala. 36117.

For more information on Smith’s competition in Montgomery contact Lindsy Gardner at 334-289-1595.