Eight local high school senior girls will be getting into the swim this Saturday night as they go "Under the Sea with Junior Miss."

The Butler County Junior Miss Program, sponsored by the Camellia City Junior Women's Club, is slated to kick off at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Greenville High School Auditorium.

Maryanne Hancock, Amy Tillery, Lacey Norrell, Mallory Lee, Kimberlee Johnson, Kendra Mitchell, Trawick Smith and Terrell Brannon will be competing for valuable scholarships, awards and the chance to represent Butler County in the state Junior Miss program in Montgomery.

Each of the participants will be evaluated in the areas of scholastics, talent, fitness, and poise and appearance through their on-stage performance, academic records and a personal interview with the panel of judges. Michelle Barrow is production chairman and Lori Cummings is choreographer for this year's event.

The well-rounded young woman who takes the Junior Miss medallion home will earn $2,000 in college scholarship monies and an additional $500 to use in preparation for the state program.

First runner up will receive a $1,000 scholarship, while the 2nd runner up will take home a $500 scholarship.

In addition, there are individual awards for talent, fitness, poise and appearance, signature page and the "Be Your Best Self" essay award.

"The girls have been working hard with rehearsals. We are very excited about this year's program and look forward to a great time on Saturday night," April Smith, 2005 program director, said.

Junior Miss is the number one college scholarship program for high school senior girls in the nation. "We are so glad to bring this opportunity home to our own young women. Please come out and support our Junior Miss hopefuls on Saturday night," Smith said.

Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door.