The popular Be Extreme Inside and Out program for young women ages 12-15 is back! First started in 2004 to help young women in our county gain inner strengths while enhancing grooming skills and outer appearance, Be Extreme Inside and Out took a break in 2009.

Program founders Maureen Sullivan and Tina Riddle are directors of the program and they are glad to report that the 2010 class of twenty young women will have the experience of a lifetime the week of July 12-16. Close to fifty young women interviewed for the twenty slots, so the program is highly competitive and participants are carefully selected.

As the Be Extreme week progresses, 250 volunteers and resource people will give their time and talents to the program. Highlights of the week include the fun fashion and grooming events, of course. Those events include learning to how to manicure nails, getting new hairstyles, and shopping at Dillard's for a great new outfit to wear to awards dinners, church and community events. All this culminates in the "Night on the Town" Reveal Friday night, July 16 at the 5:30-7:00 PM. Heflin Recreation Center. Family, friends and Be Extreme presenters and sponsors are all invited to this event.

Following a lesson with "Miss Manners", a very special luncheon provided by Classic on Noble at the restaurant will take place Tuesday afternoon. While there, hosts David and Cathy Mashburn will get to see how well this year's class learned their dining etiquette lesson!

Other Be Extreme lessons are equally fun.

Dr. Jimmy with JSU returns this year with his outstanding recreational leadership program Monday. Twenty professionals and business leaders from the area will join our young women for a Career Round Robin Thursday. Friday's big lesson is Reality Check, an exercise in the reality of paying bills for a month on limited income. Reality Check is owned by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and has been conducted at CCMS the last two years.

Local support and sponsors make Be Extreme happen. This year sponsors have provided $6,000 worth of services, goods and donations. Because of this enthusiastic level of support Be Extreme has never had to seek grant funding or other outside funding for this life-changing program. So, hats off to everyone committed to Be Extreme!