Twelve contestants will vie for the title of Miss Wayne County 2011 at 20th anniversary scholarship program Saturday, Sept. 10.

The program will start at 5 p.m. and will be held at Livonia CHurchill High School on Newburgh Road just north of Joy Road, Livonia.

The Miss Wayne County Organization Executive Director Sheila Sigro's impressed with the caliber of this year's contestants.

“We are very pleased with the number of intelligent, ambitious and talented young women who have entered the competition,” Sigro said. “With the number of outstanding contestants, it will be a challenging task for the judges to choose the next Miss Wayne County.”

Competing in the scholarship program are Jenae George of Harper Woods, Olivia Trocchio of St. Clair Shores, Da'Stanza Murphy of Taylor, Jasmine Jones of Detroit, Ashley Welch of Livonia, Erin Hall of Dearborn, Paula Langley of Novi, Sarah Bermudez-White of Dearborn Heights, Jessica Jackson of Detroit, Nicole Marie Johnson of Detroit, Shelby Gardiner of St. Clair Shores and Sydney Learman of Linwood.

Contestants will compete in five phases of competition at the competition, including private interview, on-stage question, physical fitness in swimsuit, talent and evening gown. During the competition, each contestant will also discuss her chosen platform, a social or community issue of concern to herself and society at large.

The winner of the Miss Wayne County Competition will be awarded $500 in scholarship funds for her college or graduate school education. Other cash scholarships will be awarded to preliminary competition winners, runners-up and special award winners, such as overall talent, overall physical fitness in swimsuit and community service.

During her year of service, Miss Wayne County will travel across the state, speaking to government officials, business leaders, community groups and all types of citizens about her platform issue and encouraging them to become involved in her cause. She will also be eligible to compete for the Miss Michigan title in Muskegon in June.

“I have truly enjoyed my year of service as Miss Wayne County and am proud to have traveled the state, raising awareness for fire safety and prevention,” Sarah Suydam said. “I know that the leadership skills I have gained from this experience will help me as I pursue a bachelor of arts degree in broadcast journalism.”

“Miss Wayne County will not only serve as a role model for young women and as an ambassador for the Miss America Organization, she will also urge girls and young women to develop their leadership skills and to take an active role in their communities,” said Sigro.

Established in 1991, the Miss Wayne County Scholarship Organization provides opportunities for young women to achieve their personal and professional ambitions. Contestants also participate in community service activities and develop leadership skills that help them excel in their chosen career and life goals. A not-for-profit affiliate of the Miss America Organization, the Miss Wayne County Scholarship Organization has made available cash scholarships to hundreds of young women throughout Wayne County.

Winners of the annual Miss Wayne County Competition are eligible to compete in the Miss Michigan Competition, held every year in Muskegon in June. The Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Each year, the Miss America Organization makes available more than $40 million in cash and tuition scholarship assistance.

On an annual basis, Miss America state and local titleholders, along with the Organization's network of volunteers, participate in more than 12,000 community-service projects, providing in excess of 500,000 service hours to worthy causes. For more information about the Miss America Organization, visit www.missamerica.org website.

For more information about the Miss Wayne County Competition, call Sigro at (734) 367-0560 or visit program's website at www.misswaynecounty.org.

Source:  Hometownlife.com