Cd'A Junior Miss is tonight

COEUR d'ALENE - The Leonard family will definitely leave its mark on tonight's Coeur d'Alene Junior Miss Scholarship Program.

Madison Leonard, winner of last year's Coeur d'Alene and the Idaho Junior Miss program, will be the emcee.

Her father, Paul Leonard, will be emceeing along with his daughter.

Her mother, Denise Leonard, co-chair of this year's program, has been working with the participants for the past two months, and will be backstage tonight with the headset on making sure all goes well.

Denise knows why the Leonards do what they do.

"I've seen what the program does for the girls," said. "It's such a great self-confidence booster."

Twenty-three high school juniors will be competing for scholarships in different categories, including talent and fitness, self expression interview, scholastic, spirit and the overall winner.

The theme of tonight's program is "Passport."

"It's not the destination, it's the journey," Denise Leonard said.

The winner will go on to compete in the state Junior Miss program in early November at North Idaho College.

From there, Junior Misses from all 50 states will travel to Mobile, Ala., for the 53rd Annual America's Junior Miss National Finals, June 24-26.

All State Junior Misses will compete for a share of at least $150,000 in cash scholarships.

Denise Leonard, co-chair of the Coeur d'Alene Junior Miss with Kim Washko, said this year's candidates display a diverse field of talents.

"They look great. They're very sharp," she said.

In the eight weeks since practices began, Leonard has watched the girls transform, some from shy and uncertainty to outgoing and confident.

"It's just incredible. They blossom," she said.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at Coeur d'Alene High School, and the program begins at 7.

Tickets for the program are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and children.