Young womanhood Recognition

Now, the girls are given 3 alternatives to choose from:
1.  Receive their medallion in Sacrament meeting.
2.  Receive the medallion in a special 15-20 minute presentation at the end of New Beginnings or YWIE.  The girl(s) and her parents can plan how they would like to use this period of time.  This would be approved by myself and the Bishop first.
3.  Receive the medallion at a "Evening of Excellence for ___________".  The girl(s) and her parents can plan a 30-45 minute program, then have refreshments if they want.  The program is approved by myself and the Bishop.  On this one, we leaders just show up to help and support, unless we are asked to do something in particular by the girl(s) or parents.  We do these on Joint Activity nights and invite all yw parents.

To date, we have done all 3 of the above.  Each girl was allowed to receive her very own medallion in the way that she desired.  They all seem to really like to be able to choose.  Perhaps this is yet another step in becoming an adult.

When we did #3, there were 2 girls that chose to do their program together, so we called it an "Evening of Excellence for _______ & _______".  Their mothers got together and planned the program, then gave it to me for approval.  (Of course, it was fine.)

They printed up programs, set up tables and chairs, put pink plastic table clothes on the tables, and a couple pink and white helium balloons in the center of each one.  A woman in the ward made a beautiful white cake, and one of the mom's made punch.  The previous yw president spoke on PP.  A sister of one of the girls sang "What Heaven Sees In You" (Beautiful..).  I spoke briefly on the girls and their PP.  The mom's had put a bunch of pictures to music, and projected them onto the wall.  Then the mom's took turns speaking about their daughter.  It was really, really great!

Not one penny came out of the YW budget.  I did offer, but it wasn't accepted.  There are girls in our ward that we will have to use the budget for, but the Bishop and I are perfectly OK with that.  It wasn't really an expensive evening, but it was great!  Also, computer programs can be purchased inexpensively now, that enable you to put photos to music.  If you ask around, there is probably someone in your ward that has one and will do it for you.

The Stake YW Presidency and a member of the Stake Presidency were all there that night.  They all thought it was a very nice way to celebrate a young woman and her accomplishment.  The Stake YW President even asked if they could tell the other wards about it, so they can do them too.

Personally, I think that these girls deserve to be spotlighted for their accomplishments.  After all, everyone likes a "pat on the back" for a job well done.  And, if these girls complete their PP, then that is most definitely a job well done!  Let them shine!  ;-)