Editor’s Note: This continues our Celebrate Community series on nonprofit organizations that improve North Okaloosa County residents’ quality of life.
CRESTVIEW — The Women of Valor group celebrated 22 girls and women who completed their summer mentoring for girls and women ages 4-19.
"We crowned beautiful winners, not first, second- and third-place girls," the Rev. Sherrell Compton, program creator, said during the Sept. 16 group conference and brunch at the Crestview Community Center. The free event, with the theme "He Crowned Me With His Glory," included recognition of the girls completing the program, a fashion show, and a presentation by guest speaker Ashley Rogers of Chesser & Barr P.A.
Ashley Rogers discusses mentoring
The girls, referred to as Junior and Senior Beautiful Ones by Women of Valor members, learned about such things as inner and outer beauty, social etiquette and its importance, hygiene and the importance of validation. They attended workshops on skin, hair and body care. They learned about respecting themselves, and how to follow their dreams and fulfill God's purpose for their lives.
The senior Beautiful Ones also participated in a community service outreach where they delivered toiletries to the homeless patients at North Okaloosa Medical Center.
Each participant received a letter from Crestview Mayor David Cadle, who congratulated them on participation in the program and thanked them for their contributions to the homeless, stating, in part, "how important small things become to those in need of basic necessities."
Rogers spoke on the importance of making God's will your will, and the peace she felt when a personal decision about child bearing led her to that conclusion.
Fashions, Senior Beautiful Ones presented
The conference ended with a crowning ceremony where Miss Emerald Coast 2015-2016 Aisha Scott crowned and presented flowers to the Senior Beautiful Ones.
Cato's and J&P's Glitz and Glitter provided fashions and accessories for the fashion show. McLain's Family Steakhouse provided breakfast and brunch at the event.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Women of Valor conference celebrates 22 program participants