PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A local class is teaching young girls empowerment and self-confidence. Sixty-three young ladies will be the star of their own fairytale in the 'Princess for a Day' program.
This week, parents and their daughters practiced for a red carpet event, the culmination of the six-month training program.
“Her teachers were calling me and telling me how much more confident she was in her work and in herself, how much more she’s speaking out in class, and participating more,” said Kristina Mitchell, whose daughter Anora is in the program.
Positively Hampton Roads
'Princess for a Day'; local program teaches girls self-confidence
Hampton Roads native Coressa Williams developed the program to teach young girls ages 3 to 15 skills they weren’t learning in school.
“If we can begin to remind these girls that they are so amazing starting at age 3, we believe it will catapult them to be leaders. We think it will change the way they think about themselves,” said Williams.
The program's emphasis on self-confidence has empowered the participants, including 11-year-old Camari Whitehorne.
“I’ve learned you can grow up to be who you want to be. You should never let anybody hold you down,” said Camari.
“I’ve seen her confidence level boost because at one point, she was very shy,” said Camari's mom, Malea Daughtry.
Watch previous coverage: 'Princess for a Day'; local program teaches girls self-confidence
“We meet for six months, once a month and each month we teach a different empowering factor,” said Williams. "We teach them how to love what they see in the mirror, we teach them five-star etiquette and poise and [to] know how to function in any given environment."
Part of that five-star etiquette is learning what to do with all the silverware at a formal dining event.
“I learned how to sit at a restaurant and how to be respectful,” said 8-year-old Savannah McClain.
Besides table manners, the girls are taught public speaking, posture, and how to dress fashionably and appropriately.
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These young ladies are practicing their best red carpet walk and wave, getting ready for this weekend’s graduation at the Renaissance Hotel in Portsmouth.
“That all builds up to the six-month ending, when they receive a certificate that they have mastered and completed the program, which makes them eligible to walk the red carpet, introduce themselves and be crowned as princess for a day,” said Williams.
Calliann Phillips' mom was so impressed with the program last year that she enrolled her daughter again this year.
“She’s a lot more verbal expressing herself and expressing her feelings, so it gave her the confidence in wanting to express that,” said Darshel Phillips, Calliann's mom.
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And 7-year-old Calliann couldn’t stop smiling as she prepared to receive her crown once again this year.
“And Calliann, I’d like to crown you princess for a day,” said Williams as she practiced crowning Calliann.
The program starts in September every year and runs for six months. The girls meet once a month and the red carpet graduation is March 23.
The cost is $325.
For more information on the program, click here.
