Penticton and South Okanagan

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Students participate in Power of Being a Girl conference

Dozens of girls in pink sweatshirts danced, laughed and learned about self-empowerment at a special event in Penticton on Tuesday.

The  Power of Being a Girl conference at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre was the first in the city. It has been a fixture in Kelowna for seven years.

"The purpose is to empower girls so they make safe choices and to actually introduce them to resources in their community," said Kelly Howard, marketing and events director for YMCA of Okanagan,

The YMCA partnered with the South Okanagan Women in  Need Society to hold the day for 120 South Okanagan middle school students, all in grade 6.

It was Liz Gomes, a child youth worker with the society, who was initially instrumental in bringing the conference to the south end of the Okanagan.

"The Y was doing this and we wanted to get involved in bringing it here," she said. "It's all for the girls to let them know that being a young woman is a wonderful thing and to embrace that."

The conference kicked off with inspirational words from keynote speaker Brenda Peters, who runs a program called Beautiful Girls at Cheers the Church.

Her focus was on helping girls make the right life choices.

"if you hang out with wise people , you will be wise," she said. "If you hang out with fools you will get into trouble."

Other activities over the course of the day were an art project with Cindi Tomochko of WInd in the Willow Art Therapy , internet safety with Daryl Meyers, a pink power walk and hip hop dancing.

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Student Mckenna Clarke works on an art project

 The safety talk became even more important in light of the recent Amanda Todd cyber bullying incident, said organizers.

"Online safety can't be talked about enough these days, because it is everywhere for these girls, on their phones, in purses and pockets," said Howard.

Mckenna Clarke, a KVR Middle School student, was thrilled to take part.

"A little confidence boost is good at any age, so you can be the best person you can be," she said.

Her mother Marianne Clarke agreed.

"I think with today's society there is a lot of pressure on girls so anything we can do to build their self esteem and confidence is a good idea," she said.