Girls from across the state of Mississippi began arriving in the Queen City on Sunday to take part in the annual Distinguished Young Woman's program.

Newscenter 11 stopped by the Northeast Inn and Conference Center on Sunday afternoon where participants were going through orientation in order to know what to expect throughout the week. Officials say the program, formerly known as Junior Miss, has been active for more than 50 years now.

"Really, it gives the girls an opportunity to earn scholarship money," program director Sid Wilkinson says. "Even better than that, it is teaching them life skills. Leadership, also to give back to the community and kind of serve as a beacon to other girls out there their age to do something better for the community and better themselves."

The program participants will be rehearsing Monday through Wednesday, prior to the preliminary rounds on Thursday and Friday. The big finale is on Saturday night.