Lewis County Herald - Serving Hohenwald, Lewis County Tennessee Since 1898

"Sweet as Honey" was the theme for the 15th annual Petals and Pearls program held Saturday, March 5th at Lewis County Middle School. The event provided a fun day of learning for girls in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Girls and their mothers or adult guest attended a variety of break-out sessions highlighting important issues facing girls today.

Saturday's program brought seventy-six girls, mothers, grandmothers, or guardians together for a day of celebration. Participants were greeted and signed in by Terry Whittenberg, PTO president, Sasha Powers, Coordinated School Health Coordinator, and Paige Roberson, TNSTRONG student. Shelia Carroll, along with Tonya Woodward with Hope Hohenwald, handed out pearl necklaces before Mother Daughter photos were taken. A light breakfast was served in the library by Sasha Powers and Shiloh Skelton with Coordinated School Health.

Coordinated School Health Coordinator Sasha Powers welcomed participants to the event and recognized speakers, presenters, and helpers before introducing singer Holly Adkins, Pre-K Teacher. Mrs. Adkins sang "Mother Like Mine" by the Band Perry. She did an amazing job! Sasha Powers then introduced our keynote speaker Kara Farr, Kindergarten Teacher. Mrs. Farr was back for her seventh year. To get the celebration going, she got the audience laughing and interacting with each other. Mrs. Farr emphasized on we need to be the best me we can be and how to support each other.

Sasha Powers provided information for the day including program descriptions and locations. Break-out sessions followed. In the first rotation participants could choose from: Puberty with Jenny Brewer, RN with TCAT, Straight Talk with Julianna Duca with Centerstone, and "The Social Dilemma"- with Deanna Darden-Carroll from Davis House.

The second rotation was all about fun with: Wreath Making with Paula Dyer, Lewis County School Board, Painting with Acrylics with LaWanda Parent with LaWanda's Crafts, Hair with Sheila Carroll, P&P Committee, Skin Care with Grace Revitalife, Susan Hensley and Lauran Crowell, Make-Up with Ashley and Addison Pennington, Manicures with Brittany Staggs and TCAT students: Carissa Beck, Callie Bonee, Ashley Green, Faith James, Hayden Journey, Annabelle McCarthy, Keiarra McClain, Rebecca Nelson, Avril Powell, Ava Salsman, Hannah Henkel, and Addyson Reischma, STEM Challenge with Tara Tiller, RTI supervisor with Lewis County Schools and daughter Chanley Baker, Positive Stress Release (Yoga) with Mary Hamilton and Meaghan Bates with Centerstone, Cake Decorating with Nicki Lewis, cake decorator and owner of Cakes by Nicki.

Lunch was prepared by Lewis County Schools' Food Service Department and served by Coordinated School Health. During lunch, participants had time to visit TNSTRONG students with a tobacco game wheel provided by the Lewis County Health Department.

Gathering back in the auditorium after lunch, Lewis County High School nurse Delicia Hull oversaw the LCHS TNSTRONG girls, Paige Roberson, Mahaley Bean, and Allee Carroll, and the TNSTRONG students as they presented a powerful Powerpoint on the vaping epidemic followed by a fun game of Tobacco Jeopardy with audience participation and lots of prizes.

Debbie Landers then introduced the program sessions and presenters for the afternoon rotations. They included:

Mindfulness Activities to Reduce Stress with Carla Walker, TCCY SC Regional Coordinator, I Know More with Nancy Dansby from Women Are Safe, Healthy Habits for Life with Shelly Ray and Delana Bean with UT Extension, and Raise Your Crown with Lindsey Wayland with Lewis County Health Department.

After the last rotation, mothers and daughters gathered in the auditorium for closing remarks from Shannon Denton, Family Resource Center Coordinator, followed by many generous door prizes. Terry Whittenberg drew names for the many donated door prizes by Coordinated School Health, Lewis County PTO, Youth/Tobacco Subcommittee, Child Help Task Force, UT Extension, Avon- Tammy Adkins, Bank of Lewis County, CB&S Bank, Peoples Bank, Citizens Bank, Walmart, The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, Hohenwald Flower Shop, Fancy Peacock, Hohenwald Nutrition, Adair Funeral and Cremation Services, Family Nail Spa, Terry Whittenberg, and Lewis County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Hope Hohenwald provided Brich Boxes. UT Extension TNCEP provided bags to help participants carry all their goodies home.

Petals and Pearls is a program of the Lewis County Health Council Youth/Tobacco Subcommittee through partnership with the schools' Family Resource Center and Coordinated School Health. Sponsors are Lewis County Schools PTO and Lewis County Health Department.