COEUR d'ALENE - Thirty-six girls from across the state will compete in the Idaho's Distinguished Young Woman scholarship contest Thursday through Saturday at North Idaho College's Boswell Hall.

The theme of the program is "Dream it Possible." There will be $14,000 in scholarships awarded.

Local girls competing include Rachel Olvera, Coeur d'Alene; Hailey Smith, Post Falls; Sarah Jacobsen, Lakeland; Hailey Knox, Timberlake; and Vanessa Needham, St. Maries.

The girls won local Junior Miss contests as juniors and are now seniors.

Contestants will perform Thursday and Friday in talent, self-expression and fitness categories. On Saturday, the top 10 contestants will be announced and compete in all three categories again to determine Idaho's first Distinguished Young Woman. The winner advances to the national contest in Mobile, Ala., in June.

Coeur d'Alene's Madison Leonard won Idaho's Junior Miss last year and was named America's Distinguished Young Woman in June. It was the first time in 53 years that an Idaho girl won the national contest.

The state contest, and those at the school level, was formerly called Junior Miss.

The program begins at 7 p.m. each night; doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets, sold at the door, are $8 for seniors and students and $10 for adults.

Information: www.ajm.org, 660-1413