Seven young women will compete for the title of Wells Area Junior Miss on Saturday, Aug. 22.

That night will be the culmination of weeks of preparation. The candidates have been rehearsing, practicing at mock interview sessions and preparing for their talent performance. The winners will receive prizes from local businesses and also be awarded cash scholarships. The Wells Area Jaycees are once again sponsoring the scholarship program that empowers outstanding high school women to be their best self.

As Bethany Leland, 2002 Junior Miss, put it, “Junior Miss doesn’t select a winner from a group of representatives, but a representative from a group of winners.”

The American Junior Miss program had its beginning in Mobile, Ala., in the 1950s by the Jaycees. The first national program was held there in 1958. Wells held its initial program in 1966 when Jane Leland from Bricelyn was chosen as the first Junior Miss. The Jaycees organize and prepare for an evening that showcases the talents of the area’s young women. “The mission of the Junior Miss,” the national program states, “is to empower outstanding high school women, by providing scholarship opportunities, developing life skills, and encouraging positive values.”

Strict judging standards are established by the national program. The focus is on excellence. Scholarship, personality, character, physical well being and creativity are areas of emphasis.

Before the audience even enters the auditorium on Aug. 22, judging will have taken place. That afternoon, the judges will have met one-on-one with the contestants to conduct interviews. The interview score will comprise 25 percent of the total. After looking at transcripts of each young woman, along with other standardized test scores, a rating for scholastics will be awarded. This counts for 20 percent.

The evening program is the judging of on-stage presentations. A group number performed by all entrants will give the judges a chance to rate fitness. Elements of stamina, agility and coordination will reflect the health and well-being of each contestant. The fitness score will be 15 percent of the total. The poise portion of the competition, will gauge composure and grace in an evening gown. This score is also 15 percent.

Each young woman is preparing a performance that will be judged on originality, ability, and appropriateness. The talent portion represents 25 percent of the scoring.

While the judges compute the final score, the audience will have another opportunity to see Carolyn Schmitz perform. Schmitz, Wells Area Junior Miss for 2008, went on to win the state title of Minnesota’s Junior Miss. She competed with 49 other young women at the National Junior Miss Scholarship Program in Mobile in June 2009 .

Allison Phillips Sorensen, Wells Area Junior Miss 2001, remembers the “Be Your Best Self” focus in the program. “That was always something I had tried to do all my life growing up, but Junior Miss gave me the tagline. Later in college and on the job, I remembered those words. I always tried to be my best self.” When asked what had the most value in the program for her, she was quick to respond. “The interview portion was the best. Being able to convey your thoughts and get your point across in job interviews was really an asset.”

Mary Majeski is a Wells resident that has close ties to the Junior Miss program and philosophy of being your best self. Her two daughters Amy and Sara both competed in the scholarship program. Amy was chosen as Junior Miss in 1971. Majeski’s granddaughter, Melanie Summer, was Junior Miss in 1993. “Some people think that the scholarship money is the biggest prize,” Majeski said. “The bigger prize is how they grow as a person to be their best self. They have that the rest of their life.”

Barb Feist is another big fan of the scholarship program. She has worked with the Junior Miss project for more than 10 years, first, as a Jaycee, then as a volunteer. Two daughters, Rachel and Hannah, both competed for the Junior Miss title. Her son Ryan, a member of the Wells Jaycees, is working with the program this year.

“Junior Miss in the City” is this year’s theme. The group numbers, “Shopping for Labels,” “I Got a Feeling” and “Listen to your Heart,” reflect the big city life. The three-dimensional skyline onstage will transform USC’s Gordon Hansen Auditorium into the big city. Advance tickets are available from this year’s participants for $8. They will also be on sale at the door for $10. The curtain goes up at 7 p.m.