PINK Ladies hold first meeting

A discussion of reality vs. media portrayals of body image was led by Trisha Bridgewater. Nancy Malcom/Daily Mail

Tuesday afternoon was the initial meeting of the new after school club for eighth grade girls at Nevada Middle School. Dubbed "The PINK Ladies," which stands for Personal Interesting New Knowledge, the club's focus is on girls building their self-esteem, self-confidence, self-respect and self-image.

Jodie McNeley, middle school counselor and coordinator of the new club said, "All of our activities are aimed to make the transition to high school an easier and more positive experience." There are already clubs for the sixth and seventh grade girls and the eighth grade girls have been requesting their own club for some time. McNeley said the school nurses, counselors and Vernon County Department of Health met and decided the club was the best way to meet some of the needs and issues common to eighth grade girls.

"We will only have three meetings," McNeley explained. "One each month in December, January and February. This is an in-between time for many of the girls who are involved in sports and other activities." She said they thought this would be the time frame the students would be most free to participate.

"Denise Nelson, school health coordinator and Tammy Hendren, high school student counselor helped with getting the club organized," McNeley said. "The Vernon County Health Department donated $500 to help get us started. We also have two Cottey College student volunteers." McNeley explained that some of the subjects to be discussed in the group are about personal issues and added that girls this age have more individual needs to address as opposed to the more social activity focus of other girl clubs.

The first meeting included a discussion group, led by Trisha Bridgewater of The Wellness Company, on the reality of body image as compared to images portrayed in the media. Bridgewater said, "The school counselors are wonderful to be promoting values of wellness and healthy thinking at this age. It's very imprortant to develop these ideas early." A high school student also spoke about eating disorders. For an activity, the girls decorated cookies and had snacks. The food was prepared and served by eighth grade teachers Janet Guthrie, Harva Miller and Michele Gast.

The next meeting will be held Jan. 27, 3 p.m., at the middle school. Topics presented by Tammy Hendren for that meeting could include "Steps to Self Intimacy" and discussions will include setting dating boundaries. A teen mother will be on hand to speak to the club members.

The last meeting will be held in February and will feature Christi A. Peterson, assistant superintendent, speaking about social transitions and how each person's values and experiences lead to their behaviors.

So far the club has more than 50 members and membership is always open. Community involvement is invited with donations of money, food, and particularly volunteers always welcome.

"We would like to have civic clubs, groups, churches, or other organizations provide brochures or other handouts appropriate to the focus of the club," McNeley said.

Anyone interested in knowing more about The PINK Ladies should contact Jodie McNeley at The Nevada Middle School (417) 448-2040.