The annual Hal Jackson?s Talented Teens (Bermuda) Scholarship Competition is set to go off tomorrow evening.

Thirteen young women will take part in the competition and one of them will emerge as Bermuda?s most talented teen.

The Competition takes place at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m.

The yearly competition is presented by the Ladies of Sigma Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, says Cherie Simons, chairperson of the organisation.

As America?s first Greek-letter organisation established in 1908 by and for Black, college educated women, Alpha Kappa Alpha has a long and distinguished history. Sigma Xi Omega Chapter in Bermuda was chartered in May 1990.

?Since that time, the chapter?s goal has been to make Alpha Kappa Alpha?s presence felt in our beautiful Island in a most significant way,? said Ms Simons.

Hal Jackson?s Talented Teens International is a 30-year-old talent competition created by Hal Jackson, as a platform for young women aged 13 to 17 years from around the world to showcase their intelligence and talent.

?They network with their peers and compete for scholarships to assist with their higher education,? she added.

?The winner of the local competition will compete with other young ladies from around the world in New York City, on July 30, for the title of Hal Jackson Talented Teen International 2006.?

The competitors are Alexa Lightbourne, Nadiyah Brown, Ty?esha Oswald, Natasha Morrison, Jasmin Caines, Dwana? Simons, Kharis Brooks, Hannah Eggen, Shellicia McKenzie-Simons and Hayley Evans.

?The ladies in the competition participate in various training sessions and are critiqued in categories demonstrating academic intelligence, talent and stage presence,? Ms Simons added.

?Additionally, through this competition, the Ladies of Sigma Xi Omega also help to develop leadership qualities in the young ladies, provide scholarships to Bermuda?s youth, provide comprehensive workshops, improve communication and public speaking skills for Bermuda?s youth, build self-esteem, self-confidence, self discipline, and positive values in young ladies and promote positive images of young ladies in the community.?

Some of the past international winners include Jada Pinkett-Smith, Vanessa L. Williams, the late Michelle Thomas, CeCe Peniston and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

?Past local winners include Lene Hypolite, Teshe Trott, Twanee Butterfield, Bermuda Idol first runner up, and Gina Blakeney.?

Some of the prizes include scholarships, a leadership conference trip, trophies, certificates and of course the title of Hal Jackson?s Talented Teen (Bermuda) Scholarship Competition 2006.

Tickets are $30 and are available at Shannon?s Boutique, Windsor Place, Hamilton.