Sixteen of the state's brightest and best young women will share their winning spirit on stage at the Ritz Theatre this Saturday night, July 13.

The curtain will rise at 7:30 p.m. as the Miss Camellia scholarship program presents "Celebrating the Spirit of the Olympics".

Approximately $2,000 in scholarship monies will go to the young woman crowned

Miss Camellia 2002.

The program, the brainchild of Bill Alverson and Miss Alabama 1991 Wendy McDougal, is the only area preliminary to the Miss Alabama/Miss America scholarship programs.

The Miss Camellia program, now entering its fourth year, has earned numerous accolades during its short history.

We are really proud of how well our program has done…we are so excited for Scarlotte," notes McDougal.

The reigning Miss Camellia, Scarlotte Deupree, recently was crowned the new Miss Alabama.

She will go on to represent the state at the Miss America program in Atlantic City in September. Deupree will serve as the mistress of ceremonies at Saturday night's event.

Joint corporate sponsorship of Miss Camellia is provided by Terminix and LV Stabler Memorial Hospital.

For more information, contact Wendy McDougal at 382-0854.