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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Be Your Best Self.

That’s the motto and focus for the Distinguished Young Women of Chilton County scholarship program.

For the past six years, the local board has held Diva Camp as a way to promote this focus for girls too young for the scholarship program.

Chairperson Leslee Deavers said the board wanted to raise awareness about the DYW program and chose the event as a way to let families know about the opportunity.

The event features fun activities like dance and crafts and the five components of the Be Your Best Self campaign — Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious and Be Responsible.

Deavers said she hopes that Diva Camp participants “embrace the (Be Your Best Self) elements and grow to be an outstanding student/citizen for our county and one day participate in the DYW program themselves.”

This year’s Diva Camp participants will perform a dance routine learned during the camp at the 2019 Distinguished Young Women of Chilton County program on July 13.

Diva Camp is designed for girls entering kindergarten to sixth grade and will be held July 9 and 11 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Chilton County High School. Cost is $25 due July 9. To register, message Distinguished Young Women of Chilton County on Facebook with name of contestant and T-shirt size or text Deavers the participant’s name and T-shirt size at 205-389-6208.

Deavers said she enjoys the two-day camp because “it allows girls who have participated in our DYW program to give back. Once you participate, you absolutely love what it is about and want to continue to build that.”

Former participants leading the event this year will be Georgia Simpson (2019), Anna Smith (2018), Makenzie Roller (2017), Anna Calhoun (alternate) and JaNiya White (alternate).

“Being a teacher and loving kids — this is absolutely wonderful to be a part of building young kids and their future,” Deavers said.