By KAREN BRADY
Staff Writer
Girls ruled in the USAO ballroom on Friday.
About 85 fifth grade girls from Lincoln, Southwest and Grand Avenue elementary schools and 50 female mentors-for-a-day met for a special luncheon at the college.
Sponsored by the Chickasha Public School Foundation, the luncheon, themed “Diamonds in the Rough,” celebrated the positive aspects of being a girl as well as letting them know they are special not only to their schools, but to the community as a whole.
“Your schools think you are valuable. That’s why we used diamonds as the theme for today, to tell you you are special,” Lt. Gov. Jari Askins told the girls. “I hope when you leave today, you realize you are special, because knowing you are special helps you make decisions that can help you, not ones that can hurt you.”
Askins told the girls she wanted to be a doctor when she was a fifth grader but later changed her mind.
“I always knew my job would be to try to help other people,” Askins said, pointing out the reasons she is successful today.
“I stayed in school. I got an education and I understand that learning never stops. My job gives me a chance to learn something every day,” she said.
Encouraging the girls to believe in themselves, Askins said “If you believe you can do something, you probably can. You’re already on the path to get there. If you believe it, you can achieve it and the Chickasha Public School Foundation believes in you.”
Askins also urged the girls to treat others as they would like to be treated, or to follow the Golden Rule.
“Treat other people the way you like to be treated,” she said. “And do what is right for you. If you don’t think it’s right, then don’t do it. Remember what you stand for.”
Askins told students that everyone needs what they have to offer.
“”Find out what it is that you like to do, then do it and be the best you can. When you help those around you, you help yourself, too,” she said.
Etiquette and manners expert Carey Sue Vega spoke to the group about the importance of proper etiquette, from an initial handshake to which fork to use for dessert.
“Basic good manners give you confidence and makes a good first impression,” Vega said. “And there’s nothing worse than a wimpy handshake.”
After a session on proper table manners, like the placement of your napkin, always passing to the right and the use of salt and pepper, Vega emphasized how important it is not to use a cell phone at the table.
“It is rude to talk on a cell phone at the table,” Vega said. “You must give all your time and attention to the people you are with - not the cell phone.”
Near the end of the luncheon, Lou Christian, executive director of the Chickasha Public School Foundation, asked each girl and mentor to put on the pair of colorful sunglasses that were included with each place setting.
“Your futures are so bright, you’ll need shades to see them,” Christian said.
Each girl also received a large “diamond” to take home as a souvenir of the Diamonds in the Rough luncheon.
