Talented teenagers are to compete for the glory of an international prize tonight.

The 40th Annual Hal Jackson's Talented Teens International Scholarship Competition will be held here for the first time.

A host of celebrities have held the title since the competition was started 40 years ago actresses Jada Pinkett Smith, Vanessa Williams and Sheryl Lee Ralph were all winners.

Tonight's preliminary round in the Mid-Ocean Amphitheatre at the Fairmont Southampton will see the top ten finalists chosen.

The competition continues at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts tomorrow night when a winner will be named.

"It is our 40th year and each year you never know who is going to come out of the bunch," said competition director Debi Jackson. "In the past [we've had] Queen Latifa, Evelyn Champagne King, Ce Ce Peniston and those are just the entertainers. We have judges, doctors, principals, choreographers and what it is is that they come back and give back.

"It's like a family reunion every year."

Mrs. Jackson's husband Hal created the competition as a means of promoting culture and education through the performing arts. The 40th Anniversary theme is 40 Years: Moving Forward and Giving Thanks.

"It has been wonderful," the 95-year-old said of the reception he and his wife have had since arriving here.

"The people are warm and they reach out to you to make you comfortable if you are a newcomer."

The event is sponsored in part by the Youth Development Foundation, Inc.

Run by Everard Davis, it provides a support system for young women. It offers exposure to the entertainment industry, encourages cross-culture exchange and nurtures emerging talent from around the world while providing training, educational scholarships and travel opportunities.

A week of events have preceded the competition, during which time the participants have gotten to know each other, Mr. Davis said.

"We know that in ten years time these girls will be superstars and they'll be available for the world to enjoy their talent," said Mr. Davis. "We have to keep the tradition going."

The event is being produced in association with Shining Diamond Productions.

Asked whether he would consider holding the event here in Bermuda again, Mr. Davis said it would depend on finding adequate sponsorship.

"The sad thing about this year is that Hal and Debi came out of their own pocket by over $100,000. This event runs from about $150,000 to $200,000. They are making it happen.

"I had to go to Hal and tell him that we didn't have the sponsorship [however he said] this is his passion and every year he puts into it and the show must go on."

Mr. Davis added: "We have a responsibility and this is not a black or white thing, this is a youthful thing and we are so talented, but we don't get to express our talents, we don't get to learn our talents and we don't get to recognise our talents and because of that we get gangs and we find our mentors who are the wrong mentors.

"But when you get entertainers involved and you get celebrities who they look at and they realise that they were a part of these things. Eddie Murphy, Wyclef Jean, Mariah Carey, Jada Pinkett Smith were a part of the talented teens. I remember seeing Alicia Keys on stage in New York and I was like, that girl is going to be somebody and look where she is now, but she had a programme like this supporting her."

Tonight's event at the Fairmont Southampton starts at 7 p.m.

Tomorrow's event begins at 7.30 p.m.

Tickets are $30 for tonight and $40 for the finals. Tickets are available on www.bdatix.com.