Why wait?

That’s the question that prompted Butler County Distinguished Young Women organizers to launch the High Heel Boot Camp in 2012.

The program, which is open to first through sixth graders in Butler and Lowndes Counties, aims to introduce the students to the Distinguished Young Women program.

“Our hope is that this will get girls thinking about the program at a younger age,” said Starla Jones, chairperson for Butler County’s Distinguished Young Woman program. “That’s our major reason for doing it. The more girls we can get interested in our program the more of an impact we can have on our community.”

Participants learn a dance routine that is performed during an intermission at the Distinguished Young Women program and also have the opportunity to interact with this year’s Distinguished Young Women participants during a lunch.

“It will be a great chance for them to get around the older girls, and it will also help our Distinguished Young Women contestants practice being good role models, which is part of our program’s platform,” Jones said when she announced the formation of the program.

Boot camp participants will take part in two practices. The first will be held July 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The second will be held July 28 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Both will take place at the Ritz Theatre.

Participants will then have the opportunity to put their hard work on display at the Butler County and Lowndes County Distinguished Young Women program July 30 at 7 p.m. at the Ritz.

The cost to take part in the boot camp is $30 and includes a t-shirt, commemorative program and admission to the Distinguished Young Women program.

The deadline to register is July 11.

For a registration form contact Jones at (334) 301-5403 or by email at skjones@centurytel.net.