The Pike County Junior Miss Program is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Claudia Crosby Theater on the campus of Troy State University. The program will feature the largest number of competitors in several years as 10 young women vie for the coveted title.

Laura Givins, a member of the Pike County Junior Miss Board, said any one of the young women would be an outstanding representative from Pike County.

"It will be very difficult to pick a winner from these 10 young women," she said. "They are all outstanding in all phases of the program. Any one of them could be named Pike County Junior Miss."

The contestants represent three of the county's four high schools.

From Charles Henderson High School, the contestants are Adrianne Bazzell, Robin Rouse,

Erin Debruyne, Jennifer Laliberte and Leighanne Johnson.

Adrianne plans to attend Auburn University and pursue a career in the medical profession. Her talent selection for the Junior Miss Program will be an acrobatic jazz dance performed to the song, "Turn to Me," by Vanessa Amorossi. She is the daughter of Mark and Judy Bazzell of Troy.

Robin plans to attend Huntingdon College in Montgomery. Her career goal is to be an attorney. For her talent in the program, Robin will perform a lyrical dance to "Via de la Rosa." Robin's parents are Charles and Joann Rouse of Troy.

Troy State University is the college of choice for Erin Debruyne. She plans a career in electrical engineering. Her talent will be a modern pointe dance. Erin's parents are Vic and Tina Debruyne of Troy.

Jennifer will attend Troy State University and Vanderbilt and her plans are to work for a college and be in charge of advancement. She has chosen a vocal selection with slight choreography as her talent presentation. Jeni's parents are David and Jean Laliberte of Troy.

Leighanne Johnson plans to attend Auburn University and pursue a career in architectural engineering. For her talent presentation, she will sing, "On the Wings of a Dove." Leigh Anne's parents are Randall and Angela Johnson of Troy.

Two young women, Shahla Ahmad and Melody Rodgers, will represent Pike County High School in the Pike County Junior Miss Program.

Shahla has plans to attend either Auburn University of Tuskegee University to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Her talent selection is a trombone jazz number, "After You've Gone." Shahla's parents are Essam and Margret Ahmad of Brundidge.

Melody's career goal is to become a successful computer engineer. To accomplish that goal, she plans to attend the University of Alabama at Hunstville. Melody's talent selection will be a vocal solo, "Because You Loved Me." Her parents are Dr. Ruso Minnifield of Tuskegee and Vanessa Rodgers Tracy of Brundidge.

Amy Reeves, Tara Rodgers and Kristen Lee Freeman will represent Pike Liberal Arts School.

Amy's college of choice is Auburn University. She plans to major in early childhood and elementary education. Her talent selection is a lyrical dance to "I Can Only Imagine." Amy's parents are Grady and Vickie Reeves of Troy.

Kristen's plans to attend the University of Alabama in Birmingham and pursue a career in neurology. For her talent selection, she will perform a tap dance to "Mr. Zoot Suit." Her parents are June Freeman of Troy and the late Boggie Freeman.

Either the University of Alabama or Troy State University will be the college of choice for Tara Rodgers. She is considering a career as either an orthodontist or a kindergarten teacher. Her talent will be a clogging dance to "In the Navy." Tara's parents are Terry and Teresa Rodgers of Troy.

Givins said everyone is invited to attend the Pike County Junior Miss Program on Aug. 2 and support these 10 young women as the vie for the opportunity to represent Pike County as it Junior Miss.

Tickets will be available at the door.