Girls to Queens: Mentorship program at Sequoyah Middle School empowers girls with confidence

A mentorship club at Sequoyah Middle School in Broken Arrow is transforming how girls see themselves.

These queens don't carry scepters. Instead, they hold a growing sense of confidence.

The Girls to Queens Club was created by teacher Jaquelyn Smith to teach students life skills.

"I feel like it's such a critical age where they are learning who they are and what path they want to take, and that's when you can make such a big impact on them and help direct and guide them in the right way," she said.

Today's lesson is about etiquette.

"I learned about the forks on the side of the plate," said Harmony Deason. "I didn't know that."

But it's not just about setting the table: she and the other girls learn the importance of respect for themselves and others. Jaquelyn says they've covered many topics, from situational awareness to even learning how to change a tire.

"We are teaching them how to have confidence," she said. "We are teaching them to go outside of their comfort zone to learn new things."

And it's having a big impact on Harmony.

"It's definitely brought me out of my shell because she's teaching us about confidence and self-esteem and to come out of our shell and not worry what others think."

She's not alone. Jaquelyn has seen a shift in many of the girls who attend.

"They want to learn these things. They want to come together and be a community. I see the impact this is having on their relationships with each other," she said.

No crown required...it's all about finding out they can shine on their own.

This is the first year for the club, and the teacher paid for it. The district plans to fund the program next year.

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