The interest session for the 2012 Distinguished Young Women Scholarship program was held on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

Girls interested in the program must apply and be present for the first practice on Sunday, Aug. 12 at Demopolis High School from 3-6 p.m.

Application materials for the program can be found at www.distingushedyw.org. Those participating have to be from Marengo County and graduating in the upcoming school year.

The program scholarship funds are raised from the citizens and businesses in Marengo County.

Katie Windham, chairman for the program, said the money that is raised for the program comes from the goodness of people’s hearts.

Last year, the program offered about $8,500 in scholarship funds that were distributed in various categories such as talent, self-expression, fitness, scholastics and the overall winner.

Rachel Gavin, 17, plans to participate in the program and said she is looking forward to the experience.

“My older sister participated in the program and it is a great opportunity,” she said.

Windham said the local competition provides other opportunities as well.

“From the local competition, the winner will go to represent the area at the state competition in Montgomery held in January and from there they can advance to the national competition in Mobile held in June,” Windham said.

Madison Davidson, former local winner of the program, said she received $2,800 total when she won the self expression, fitness and overall categories.

“The competition is a lot of fun and you get to know a lot of people,” she said. “I encourage all the girls participating this year to attend all the practices and learn a lot from the mock interviews.”

Starting this Sunday, the girls participating will practice every Sunday, with the exception of Labor Day weekend, leading up to the program held on Sept. 22 at Demopolis High School at 7 p.m.