The Junior Miss program will take place on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at the Demopolis High School Auditorium when it will officially change its name to Distinguished Young Women of Marengo County. The deadline for applications is August 7. Interested girls should visit www.DistinguishedYW.org and click Participate under the Join Us drop down box to complete the application.

Only high school girls graduating in 2012 may participate. There is no entry fee. Applicants will compete in fitness, public speaking, interview, scholastics, and on-stage talent and will be eligible for more than $8,000 in scholarships for college. The winner will advance to Alabama’s state program in Montgomery where she will be eligible for more scholarships.

All state winners will travel to Mobile, Alabama, to participate in personal development activities and community service projects before competing for the opportunity to become the Distinguished Young Woman of America for 2012 and for a share of more than $125,000 in cash scholarships. Idaho’s Madison Leonard who attends Pepperdine University, won the 2010 title.

Founded in 1958 in Mobile, Alabama, America’s Junior Miss, now Distinguished Young Women, is the largest and oldest national scholarship program for high school girls. During its 54 years of operation, the program has provided life-changing experiences for more than 700,000 young women. Last year Distinguished Young Women provided more than $63 million in cash and college scholarships opportunities.

Distinguished Young Women is a scholarship program that inspires high school girls to develop their full, individual potential through a fun, transformative experience that culminates in a celebratory showcase of their accomplishments. National sponsors include the City of Mobile, Mobile County, Encore Rehabilitation, Spanx Foundation, Mobile Gas: a Sempra Company, Alabama Power Foundation, and Regions Bank.

For more information about Marengo County’s Junior Miss, please contact Katie Echols, Marengo County’s Junior Miss Chairman, at katieechols@bellsouth.net or 334-341-2638. Orientation will be held on Sunday, August 7th at 2:00pm at Robertson Banking Company.

For more information about Distinguished Young Women, contact Cassidy Grimes at Distinguished Young Women, (251) 622-5335 or Cassidy@DistinguishedYW.org or visit the Distinguished Young Women Web site: www.DistinguishedYW.org.

– from staff reports