Nine rising seniors will compete for the title of Pike County’s Distinguished Young Woman on Aug. 25.

The program, an offshoot of the Junior Miss Program, provides scholarship opportunities to young women who excel in the areas of academics, fitness, talent, self-expression and interview.

“We’ve got nine young women who are competing this year,” said Holly Pugh, a volunteer who is helping coordinate this year’s program. “The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship. The first runner-up will receive a $500 scholarship and the second runner-up will receive a $200 scholarship.”

Additional scholarships will be awarded in the personal fitness category, interview, scholastic achievement, “Be Your Best Self” and talent. The latter is a $500 award, sponsored by the Troy Jaycees, Pugh said.

This year’s contestants include: Kathryn Kori Chirico, Jhakendra Rakia Hampton, Mallory Kathryn Franklin, Tyliyah Shanae Hooks, Jordan Mykala Bonner, Randi Danielle Childs, Olivia Hudson, Emily Wise and Jamilya Rashida Coleman.

The participants will practice and compete throughout the week next week, and the final night of competition begins at 6 p.m. Aug. 25 at Claudia Crosby Theater on the Troy University Campus. The winner, who will be crowned by 2011 PCYWD Carla Faulkner, will represent Pike County in the state competition in December.