The 2013 Distinguished Young Women of Marengo County program will be held Saturday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at Demopolis High School.

Orientation for the program will be held Sunday, Aug. 11 at 2 p.m. at Robertson Banking Company. The program is open to upcoming college-bound senior girls who are residents of Marengo County. The participants must graduate in May 2014.

“The program offers scholarships,” Katie Windham, former chairman of the program, said. “The winner never receives the money themselves. We make a scholarship donation in their name. Our focus is on college-bound girls.”

The program is free to participate in, but a $50 sponsor fee to be paid by a participants sponsor is required.

There are five categories that contestants are judged on in the competition, and there are six weeks of practice leading up to the program to perfect these categories.

The categories are scholastic, interview, talent, physical fitness and self-expression.

Windham said girls are encouraged to sign up www.ajm.org before the orientation session, but if they have questions, they can attend the orientation before deciding.

“The first practice will be held Sunday, Aug. 18, and the girls have to be signed up by then,” she said. “The girls can show up at the orientation to see if it’s something they want to do. It does require a time commitment, though. The practices will be for three hours each Sunday until the program.”

Traci Stein is the new chairman of the event this year, and questions can be directed to her at tracistein1960@att.net.