Preparations are under way for the annual Distinguished Young Women of Dallas County program. Formerly known as the Junior Miss Program, this will mark the second year under the new name.

The 2011-2012 Dallas County program winner was Dallas County High School senior Caitlyn Harris. Those wanting to follow Harris as winner, and earn the title for the 2012-2013 Dallas County Distinguished Young Woman, face an application deadline of May 16.

The program is open to all high school girls graduating in 2013 and there is no entry fee.

Participants will compete in fitness, public speaking, interview, scholastics and on-stage talent and will be eligible for more than $3,000 in college scholarships.

The 2012 local program, which is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 25, will be the 27th program year since beginning in 1976 and has awarded over $10,000 in cash scholarships annually.

The Dallas County Scholarship Program is sponsored by the Selma Civitan Club and Lisa Baker is the choreographer.

The event will be held at the Pickard Auditorium, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door and from the participants.

Those interested should visit www.distinguished yw.org and click “participate” under the “join us” drop down menu to complete the application.

For more information about Dallas County’s program, contact Ben Holifield, Distinguished Young Women of Dallas County chairman, at dallas@distinguishedyw.org or 875-5017.

Distinguished Young Women is the oldest and largest scholarship program for high school girls. Since its inception, the national organization 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 scholarship opportunities. The past four national winners attend Northwestern, Stanford University, Harvard and Pepperdine.