The first introductory meeting for the Distinguished Young Women (DYW) competition was held on Feb. 28, rehearsals for the competition began on March 2, at the Triple Threat Performing Arts in Tracy.

There are six girls signed up for the competition: Jennifer Diaz (Tracy High), Nedah Basrai (Kimball High), Laurann Doug (Kimball High), Jacquelene Pham (Kimball High) Catherine Speaker (Central Catholic).

Diaz signed up for the DYW event because all three of her sisters have done the activity and it’s a great opportunity to get scholarships.

“My dad was also head of Junior Miss, what DYW was formerly called,” Diaz said. “So, it just seems right that I would do it.”

Diaz’s mom had always told her to be a well-rounded person. Diaz and her family believe she is great for the program because she has the qualities: a good GPA, plays sports, and she plays musical instruments.

Diaz also feels that signing up for the DYW event has a lot of benefits. She’s always heard that the DWY program creates friendships.

“I am really looking forward to creating new friendships because the all the girls seem nice.” Diaz said.

Since March 2, the contestants have been doing fitness for about 10 minutes which involves pushups, jumping jacks, and sit ups. There is running and moving in place to show off their cardio ability.

“The fitness routine is intense,” Diaz said. “We make it fun though.”

Coming up in future rehearsals, the girls’ will have to practice their talent routines and practice their self-expression.

“Self-expression is where the girls dress in evening gowns, and answer a question while onstage of the night show in front of the judges,” Diaz said.

Diaz’s is going to sing and play the guitar for the talent portion. She is thinking about blending two songs at the same time and switch the transitions.

“We only have 90 seconds to do our talent in front of the judges,” Diaz said.

The girls have five more rehearsals which are 3-4 hours long. Their tech rehearsal is on April 24 and the dress rehearsal will be on the 25 at the Kimball High theatre.

The big day will happen April 26, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students with their I.D.

The winner will receive a scholarship for fitness, self-expression, and there scholarship talent, and interviews. Contestants GPA and transcripts are also part of their score as well.

“They also give awards to the girls who were most spirited and to who has good grades,” Diaz said.

The winner of the event will move on to the state level in Bakersfield.