By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

Julie Bentley, in partnership with the YMCA, will host a pageant boot camp for ages 4 and up.

The sessions will teach participants how to do paperwork, how to understand the different systems of competitions and how to handle interviews. They will also learn about pageant walking, wardrobe and stage presence.

Bentley said so many parents approached her because they wanted their children to compete in pageants that she decided to make an economically viable training camp for would-be pageant participants. She wants to make pageantry accessible to young people because of the many benefits she has experienced as a result of her involvement.

“I’ve gotten scholarship money, communication skills, physical fitness, goal setting, organization, time management, and more from pageantry,” said Bentley. “I look forward to having the opportunity to help others in the community to reach their goals and dreams.”

Bentley has held multiple titles in Chilton County, including Miss Chilton County Peach Queen and Miss Chilton County in Chilton County’s Junior Miss pageant. She most recently won First Alternate at the Mrs. Alabama America pageant.

The boot camp will be held at the YMCA of Chilton County and will cost $30 for YMCA members, $45 for non-members.

There are three sessions for each age group. The first session is Sept. 2 at 3:30 p.m. for Junior, 4:30 p.m. for Young, 5:15 p.m. for Little, and Sept. 3 at 9:45 a.m. for Miss.

The second session begins Sept. 16 and the third session begins Sept. 23. Both meet at the same times as the first session for each category.

Bentley is also available for private sessions between boot camp sessions. These can be arranged by contacting the YMCA or by emailing Bentley at juliedbentley@gmail.com