By Emily Enfinger | The Selma Times-Journal

The deadline for the 2016 Selma Historic Pilgrimage Junior Hostesses is rapidly approaching.

Students interested in applying for Junior Hostess for this year’s Pilgrimage, March 18 and 19, must complete the application and return it no later than Thursday, Jan. 28 at 3:30 p.m.

Girls in grades seventh through 12th are encouraged to apply.

Applications can be returned at City Ceramics in the Dallas Academy Building, located at 816 Selma Ave., or mailed to SDCHPS Pilgrimage Hostesses at PO Box 586, Selma, AL 36702. They may also be emailed to hostesses@pilgrimage.com or faxed to (334) 874-2147.

This year’s hostesses will be announced on Saturday, Jan. 30, on Facebook as well as on SelmaPilgrimage.com.

On Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 5 p.m. will be a mandatory meeting for all hostesses at the Dallas Academy Building.

If needed, a make-up meeting will be held on Saturday, Feb. 13 for those who couldn’t attend.

Tomeko McPhillips, Junior Hostess Chairperson, said other than gaining volunteer experience and hours, girls who participate as a hostess will have a valuable opportunity to learn the history of Selma in an engaging environment.

“It’s a good way to hear the history of Selma,” McPhillips said. “You’re going into all of these houses with history.”

Hostesses’ responsibilities will range from greeting and assisting guests, providing information, posing for photos as well as visiting the elderly in local nursing homes.

This year hostesses will dress in period dress from the 1840s, 1860s, 1890s and 1930s. Girls elected are responsible for acquiring their dress.

McPhillips said applications were distributed to local schools but they can also be found online at www.selmapilgrimage.com and on Selma’s Historic Pilgrimage Facebook page.

For more information about 2015 Pilgrimage Junior Hostesses, email hostesses@selmapilgrimage.com.