The Garland Kiwanis “Girls With Goals” group held its annual Leadership Workshop at Bussey Middle School with about 70 girls attending. The focus of the conference was “Reach For Your Goals” with emphasis on the four Fs which include these desirable traits: Feminine, Fearless, Formidable and Future Minded.
The Leadership Conference attendees were welcomed with a continental breakfast and a motivational speech by GWG founder and program chair Elvia Flores. The GISD Light Brigade group welcomed the girls with a team building activity and they were divided into four groups for a quick activity. They researched, discussed and reported on one of the four Fs.
FEMININE! Lauren A. McKinney, Educator at Region 10 Education Service Center spoke to the girls on the importance of culture, mindset and self awareness in setting life goals. McKinney took a look into different cultures’ ideas of beauty, emphasizing that unique is beautiful. She also that femininity is about being yourself…who you are inside, what you know and think, how you act and your character traits.
FEARLESS! Summer Oakley is a Garland ISD Patrol Officer, U.S. Army veteran-War on Terrorism in Iraq. She gave a personal testimony emphasizing that there is no such thing as a “truly fearless” woman, but what makes women strong is how they deal with and react to fear. She spoke of “fear” in her childhood fear in school, fear in the military and fear in dealing with injuries sustained during active duty.
“It’s okay to be afraid! Just search for courage because facing your fears builds strength and character,” Oakley said.
FORMIDABLE! Officer Felicia Jones, Garland Police Department, spoke on “Being Formidable.” She shared her personal road to becoming a police officer and addressed the issue of being “formidable” by fielding attendees’ questions about the life of a police officer. She spoke about facing her own life challenges in applying for police officer jobs in Texas.
She said she passed all the exams in two different communities but was disqualified for various reasons. She picked herself up and applied a third time and eventually got the job! Jones pointed out that she was successful by being formidable and resilient.
FUTURE MINDED! Linda Griffin, President of the Garland ISD board of trustees and dynamic speaker, spoke to the heart of what it means to be “future minded.” She addressed the girls about their futures and the determination to set goals and achieve them. She talked about the barriers she has overcome to get to the boardroom of her company and the school board. Her pointed questions and fiery words motivated the girls to think about the future and CARVE OUT THEIR FUTURE! Griffin shared this mantra: ”If it is to be, it is up to me!”
A working lunch followed with discussion of various timely topics presented during the morning sessions, door prizes and a last activity by the Light Brigade.
Elvia Flores and city employee Priscilla Wilson brought the girls together to learn about possibilities that exist in our community and country. It was a day of positive influences with a focus on their futures and becoming leaders.
The ongoing goal of the conference is to show the girls the importance of respect, responsibility and making good choices every day. There is also an emphasis on education.
This event would not be possible without sponsors and volunteers who believe in this program.
For information, contact Elvia Flores at mneflores@aol.com.