Six young Bermudians will tomorrow compete for the right to enter the finals of a prestigious international competition and the prize of a scholarship.

Bermuda will host the 40th anniversary of the Hal Jackson Talented Teens International Scholarship Competition in August.

D'chelle Allen, Yahnick Nicola Joell Barclay, Claire Lee DeCouto, Delijah Symonds-Johnson, Ariäna Joléna Smith and Angele Renisha Smith will compete at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts tomorrow, for the local title and a place in the August event.

The aim of the competition is to promote culture and education through the performing arts. It was started in 1971 by Mr. Jackson, a legendary radio personality and 2001 Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame inductee.

It is aimed at girls aged between 13 to 17, with an emphasis on diversity and intercultural awareness.

In preparation for tomorrow's competition, the six finalists had to attend a workshop on public speaking. They also learned how to manage money and eat healthily and were schooled in etiquette.

D'chelle, 17, was encouraged by her peers to enter and said: "Once I was chosen I saw it as a great opportunity to showcase my talents, to better myself as a young adult and also enhance my personality as far as public speaking."

The Berkeley Institute student plans to showcase her singing and dancing talents.

If she wins the scholarship, she plans to study performing arts and graphic design or fashion marketing and management at Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, Georgia.

Yahnick said she has always wanted to be a contestant in the competition.

"I also believe that this experience will help to increase my confidence and improve my presentation skills. It will also give me an opportunity to work with other young ladies who have similar interests and are pursuing positive goals."

Her plan is to present a dramatic monologue in the competition. She said the competition had encouraged her to effectively handle a very busy schedule while keeping on top of her school work.

"I plan to study medicine, as my career goal is to be an epidemiologist," she said.

She is very excited that the 40th Annual Hal Jackson Talented Teens International Scholarship Competition will be on Bermuda soil, adding: "That means that the winner of the local competition will get to compete here at home with the support of her fellow Bermudians."

Berkeley Institute student Claire said she saw the competition as an opportunity to progress. "It is a stepping stone towards my career goal which is to get my bachelor's with a major in performing arts," said the 17-year-old.

Fifteen-year-old Delijah is interested in music and the visual and performing arts.

"I will be displaying my vocal talent in the Hal Jackson Competition," she said. "It will give me great pride to know that I contributed to my college tuition [if I won] and I'll have great pleasure in representing the beautiful island of Bermuda in the international competition."

Ariäna, a 13-year-old Sandys Secondary Middle School student, eventually plans to study law.

Although she wants to win, she said: "I also wish the other contestants all the best. It feels great to be able to have this opportunity and to possibly win a scholarship, as well as showcase my talent for Bermuda."

CedarBridge Academy student Angele entered the competition on the advice of a friend.

"My friend Jahnae told me about the competition and then she called my mom and told her about the competition," said the 17-year-old. "I believe that if she didn't call my mom I probably would have not entered, but I am glad that I did."

She has been dancing since the age of three, studying first at Jackson's School of Dance and later at In Motion.

She hopes to win the scholarship, but recognises that there is lots of great talent. "So all I can do is my best and hope for the title," said Angele. "I am excited and nervous at the same time. Even though I have been performing for quite some time on stage this is a different feeling for me."

The show takes place at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts tomorrow at 6 p.m.

Tickets, $35, are available at Shannon's Boutique.