In less than two weeks, 19 local high school senior girls will be competing for $11,000 in scholarship money through the Distinguished Young Women Program.

Over the last three weeks, the girls have been learning dance routines, practicing talents and working on their interview skills, all while making new friends.

“This is a great group of people, a great group of girls,” said Tori Carroll, a contestant and student at Morgan Academy.

Carroll decided on a whim that she wanted to participate in the program, and said she is glad she did.

“I’ve never really been an open person, but this program has really helped open me up and meet new friends,” Carroll said.

Distinguished Young Women is a scholarship program for high school senior girls.

The girls compete based on categories like scholastic achievement, interview, fitness, talent and self-expression.

Each category is weighted on its own for a combined total of 100 percent.

Three winners are chosen from each category along with an overall winner, who receives a $3,000 scholarship.

“It’s a lot of hard work and a lot of dedication and the girls have to make a commitment,” said Demisha Stough, chairman of Distinguished Young Women of Dallas County.

To help the girls get through all of the practices and the stress of the competition, around 20 “little sisters” are there to cheer them on.

Little sisters are 11th grade girls who have the chance to be around the program this year, with the possibility of competing next year.

“It’s a support group for our girls and it also gives them a chance to see what all it takes to be part of the program,” Stough said. “They’re just always out there to give support to the girls.”

Kalissa Johnson, a senior at Dallas County High School, went from being a little sister in the program to a contestant in this year’s competition.

“It definitely gave me some insight on what to expect when I started DYW,” Johnson said. “They looked like they all got so close, so that’s why I really wanted to do it.”

Johnson said she has been having a blast so far, and she has really enjoyed getting to know the other girls and the committee.

“The committee is just special,” Johnson said. “They treat us like we’re their own little daughters. They want us all to win. I know if we all could win they would vote for us all.”

The competition is set to take place Saturday, Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Pickard Auditorium beside the School of Discovery. Admission is $10.