Young Womanhood Recognition

(Angela Merrell, Kelsi Meyer, Alyssa Russell, Anna Dickson)

These 4 beautiful girls were entering the Young Women Program about the time Bishop Starkweather was called as the bishop.  Here we are 6 years later with each poised to graduate from High School this summer and each having done what is required to receive their Young Woman's Medallion. I have heard Bishop Starkweather comment what satisfaction it gives him to see each of these girls grow up in the gospel and then receive their Young Womanhood Recognition Award.  I echo his sentiments.  It is with a little bit of sadness and much joy that we see them move on to a new chapter in their lives.  Kelsi, Anna and Angela are going to BYU-Idaho and Alyssa is going to BYU in Provo. I'm trying not to be biased here since I love each of these girls as if they could be my own off-spring (ok, one actually is), but they are young women of character, of talents, of testimony, of enthusiasm, of determination. Some time either at the end of 2010 or the beginning of 2011 these girls were each recognized in Sacrament Meeting for having finished the Personal Progress Program. (This was the second go-around for Alyssa. She earned the award during her Beehive year. Bishop Starkweather told her there was plenty of time to do it all again. So she did.)

Each of them had to accomplish 2 goals in each of the 8 values from the program each year, plus one 10-hour project in each of the 8 value areas. Their assignments also included journal writing about their experiences and reporting to their leaders, their parents and the bishop.

Here are the 8 values:

Faith

Divine Nature

Individual Worth

Knowledge

Choice and Accountability

Good Works

Integrity

Virtue

Here is a quote of of lds.org.

Personal Progress strengthens young women’s testimonies of Jesus Christ, prepares them for future roles, and helps them to make and keep sacred covenants. 

Anna, Kelsi, Angela and Alyssa you are true examples of being worthy daughters of our Heavenly Father. Congratulations to you all.