Program focuses on girls' empowerment
By Staff Reports
Published in News on August 13, 2017 1:45 AM
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Allie Wall introduces herself to the families of the other girls participating in the annual Power of Girls program during the fashion show portion of the banquet at the Wayne Center Tuesday night.
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Raniyah Wooten, Akirah Anderson and Emely Gonzalez pass the pageant crowns belonging to keynote speaker Jill Howell as she explains that crowns don't keep their shine but their actions can make them shine.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Madalyn Auton introduces herself to the families of the other girls participating in the annual Power of Girls program during the fashion show portion of the banquet at the Wayne Center Tuesday night.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Raniyah Wooten is awarded the Miss 100 Grand award at the end of the Power of Girls Banquet Tuesday night.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Kylah Lerch gives a hug to event coordinator Betty Evans as she and the other participants in the Power of Girls program give her thank you notes.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
A sideshow of images from this year's Power of Girls program plays in the background while keynote speaker Jill Howell speaks.
Four years ago, Michelle Estrada, family and consumer sciences agent proposed to the Wayne County Extension and Community Association "The Power of Girls Program," a two-day program for girls 11 through 13.
"We learned that many girls do not have the opportunity to learn social skills or they do not have enough mentors in their lives, so we decided to plan a program just for girls," Mrs. Estrada said. "This is our fourth year doing this program and we are overwhelmed with the support that we got from the community."
Betty Evans, program coordinator, reached out to local agencies, individuals and businesses for support: Belk, Wal-Mart, Girl Scouts North Carolina Coastal Pines, Goldsboro Family YMCA, Jill Howell, Laura Mooring, LongHorn Steakhouse, Suzanne Harrison, Target and TownePlace Suites.
Volunteers and Cooperative Extension and 4-H staff worked together to help 10 girls learn about positive self-esteem, basic principles of etiquette, skin care, healthy eating, physical activity and dressing for success.
The girls also went shopping and swimming, had a makeup session and also had a sleepover.
During the program, volunteers spend time with the girls to make them look pretty and feel special, Mrs. Estrada said. Each volunteer reaffirmed the importance of accepting yourself the way you are and working hard to achieve your dreams.
The last night, Juliette Thompson conducted a dinner program. Guest speaker was Jill Howell, who sang and talked to the girls about self acceptance.
At the end of the program, the girls walked on to the stage in front of their parents to receive an award and show the new outfit they purchased during the program.
"We cannot believe how a few hours of love, patience and understanding can make such a difference in a girl," Mrs. Estrada said.
"There is a lot of worked involved in this program, but volunteers and supporters are already talking about next year."
Anyone with ideas or resources to make The Power of Girls Program even better may email Mrs. Estrada at anna.estrada@waynegov.com or call 919-731-1525.