Eight excited young ladies are gearing up for the Crenshaw County Junior Miss Program, which is slated for Saturday, June 16, in the Luverne High School auditorium beginning at 7 p.m.

This year's theme is &#8220Junior Miss Sets Sail” with nautical colors decorating the stage.

Jean Sims, chairperson of the Crenshaw County Junior Miss Committee, said the young ladies, who will be entering their senior year of high school in the fall, are ready to begin practice for the program this Saturday.

&#8220On Saturday, they'll practice at 1:00, and on Sunday, they will practice at 1:30 before heading off to a Low Country Boil party at Debbie Roberts' home that night,” Sims said.

On Monday, June 11, the participants will attend the Luverne Rotary Club's regular weekly meeting, and then they will host the program for the Luverne Kiwanis Club on Tuesday.

Sims said that the &#8220Little Sisters,” or the girls who will enter their junior year of high school in the fall, would also be practicing with the eight contestants on Monday at 4 p.m.

All of the young ladies will enjoy a supper next Thursday evening before they run through a mock dress rehearsal at 6 p.m.

Another special supper is planned for Friday evening, June 15, before the 6:30 p.m. dress rehearsal.

The eight contestants will be judged in five different categories: talent, fitness, self-expression, an interview, and a &#8220Be Your Best Self” essay.

The interviews will take place Saturday afternoon, the day of the program.

Even though all of the practices are closed to the general public, the participants will be working and training hard to get the entire dance moves and steps down perfectly. Parents of the participants and the Little Sisters will be allowed to attend the dress rehearsals.

&#8220We're looking forward to a beautiful evening with some lovely and talented young ladies,” Sims said.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the Crenshaw County Junior Miss Program is asked to contact Mary Ann McDougald at335-6134.