MOBILE, Ala. — Applications for the 2012-2013 USS Alabama Crewmate Contest are being accepted now through Feb. 29. Applications can downloaded from www.ussalabama.com, or may be picked up seven days a week, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., at the park ticket office.

Entrants for the 44-year-old contest must be young ladies who have reached their 19^th birthday by March 30, and must not have reached their 22^nd birthday by the same date.

All applicants must reside in Baldwin or Mobile counties. If chosen, the same provisions apply throughout the term of the Crewmate assignment.

The Crewmates represent Battleship Memorial Park and the state of Alabama at a variety of public relations activities throughout the state. Selection criteria include poise, appearance, application information, references and interviews with a selection panel.

The new Miss USS Alabama will receive a $2,000 scholarship; Miss USS Drum, a $1,500 scholarship; and the other four Crewmates will each receive a $1,000 scholarship, all to the college/university of their choice.

No fees or sponsorships are required to enter the contest. All uniforms and accessories worn at official functions are provided at no cost to the Crewmates by the Battleship Commission, as well as all travel expenses for out-of-town activities. All functions are fully chaperoned by officials of Battleship Memorial Park.

The USS Alabama Crewmate program was founded in 1967 as an ambassador effort for the then newly created USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. The program has offered more than 200 young ladies the opportunity to serve in this position and also to receive scholarship funds to the school of their choice.

The Crewmates have dedicated thousands of community service hours not only to Battleship Memorial Park but also throughout the state of Alabama.

For questions regarding this program, please contact, Karen Conner at 251-433-2703, or email kconner@ussalabama.com.