Pageant of Progress

This is for Julie, because I love you!  :)  Sorry I wasn't the one who posted the pageant themed activity.  I wish I was, it sounds like fun!
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By the way, is this what you were looking for:  New Beginnings: Young Women Values Pageant, skit found here.

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I decided to throw a few more ideas your way, with the Pageant Theme in mind.  Here are a few photos I dusted off for inspiration.  Julie, I would love a few from your pageant days!  :)

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{insert photos of 1990s Miss Orem Pageants here}  

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IDEA FLOW

I began by looking up the definition of  pag·eant/ˈpajənt/

• A public entertainment consisting of a procession of people in costumes, or an outdoor performance of a historical scene.
• A beauty contest.

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My thoughts then turned to developing... "Pageant of Progress:  a celebration of the Young Women program".

• celebrate the history of the young women program
• present through a procession of costumes and historical tidbits
• celebrate individual beauty and accomplishments

I had to do a little research on the Young Women's program next.  This was pretty fun.  :)  I know I used more resources than listed below, sorry I didn't document very well.

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RESOURCES USED
History of Young Women Achievement Programs
Young Women - Then and Now,
A Century of Young Women
134 Years Young! New Era November 2003 (great photographs in article - here is the PDF)

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PURPOSE

Celebrate the history of the Young Women Program. Encourage young women to continue working on their Personal Progress by giving them opportunities to develop a new skill, and by displaying their creations.

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PROGRAM

I could see the night coming together in a number of ways.  I narrowed it down and chose to share this idea with you:

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Welcome:  ____________________

Opening Song:  "Carry On" (which was written as the anthem for LDS youth)

Opening Prayer:  ____________________

YW Theme:  ____________________
YW Historical Overview:

• A presentation put together by the young women.  Each of them given a specific era to cover.  Creating a timeline of the Young Women Organization.
• Or, this could be combined with a fashion show. (see idea below)  (I know a number of young women who would love to put outfits together for something like this.)

Musical Number:  ____________________
Fashion Show:  (if done separately)
Bishop's Remarks:  ____________________
Closing Prayer:  ____________________
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FASHION SHOW IDEA

Have the young women grouped into different time eras. Each young women dressed as a girl would from their assigned era.  I would let them do their own research (10 hour project?).  :)

The MC could describe what young women might have worn during that time and a "Did you know?" - tidbits about what the young women organization was like during that time.

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1869

Fashion:
pioneer dresses - you know the ones!  :)
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Did you know?

• In November of 1869, one father wanted to do something specific to help his girls. It so happened that this father was President Brigham Young. And the way he organized his own daughters soon spread throughout the Church. One evening he asked his older daughters to stay behind after family prayer. There were ten of them in their teens. He pointed out that other young ladies in the Church looked up to the Young girls as examples. He asked them if they would form the Retrenchment Organization. He asked them to meet together to study the gospel and to keep their clothing simple and attractive.

1900s

Fashion:
long skirts, large brimmed hats, buttoned gloves
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Did you know?

• In 1902 the first joint opening exercises were held for young men and young women.

1910s

Fashion: 

Long dresses, high collars, long sleeves.

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Did you know?

• In 1915, every female over 14 was a Beehive girl until she entered Relief Society. There were no Mia Maids, Gleaners, or Laurels.
• At this time, the Church established its first systematic awards program for girls.
• First summer camp for girls was held in 1912.  (100 years old this year girls!)

1920s

Fashion: 

The flapper look, a shapeless dress.  I love the hats!
Hair styles were typically short and sleek.
I loved the swim picture, that's the only reason it is there.  :)

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Did you know?

• In the 1920’s all young women who belonged to the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association were called Beehive girls, regardless of their age. They were arranged in groups called “swarms,” and their leaders were called Bee Keepers.  The Beehive program included three ranks:  Builders in the Hive, Gatherers of Honey, and Keepers of the Bees.
• In 1922 gold and green became the official colors of MIA and the first Gold and Green Ball was held.
• In 1929 they combined Young Woman's Journal and Improvement Era, to make one magazine for young men and young women.

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1930s

Fashion: 

well matched sweaters and skirts with blouse and jacket combinations

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Did you know?

• In 1930 the hymn "Carry On" was introduced as the anthem for LDS youth.
• Girls ages 12-13 did not become part of the MIA until 1934.
• In the 1930s, leaders gave new emphasis to music, dance, and the performing arts. They published a recreational song book, and sociable singing became popular. They sponsored ten-minute musical programs or "road shows" that were locally created and rehearsed and then presented in successive wards in each LDS stake.

1940s

Fashion: 

*Skirts and dresses were A-line in shape (not pencil tight) and dropped down to the low knee. 

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Did you know?

• Class symbols of the beehive, rose, and sheaf of wheat are introduced in 1943.
• In 1944 the Big Sister program was started for young women and mothers who needed to go to work during the war years.

1950s

Fashion:
Poodle skirts, cashmere sweaters, sandals or loafers.

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Did you know?

• In 1950 the Roses class was renamed Mia Maids.
• Also in 1950, the Beehive girls became the first two years of Young Women. The next age-group was called Mia Maids. At that time, the 16- to 18-year-olds were called Junior Gleaners. 
• You would mark your progress by attaching felt seals to your bright blue sash.
• In 1959, the Junior Gleaner name was changed to Laurels.
• It was an exciting time to be in Mutual, because every year you got to be in your ward's road show with the young men.  :)
• You would also probably love the Saturday night dances put on by wards and stakes. These dances were a fun opportunity to mingle with young men, enjoy good music, and taste good food.
• If you enjoyed playing basketball, you would have been excited about the girls' basketball teams—you could play as long as you had a female coach and followed girls' rules.



1960s

Fashion:
tailored suits and dresses
Our parents pictured above at a high school dance in 1964 or '65. 
Aren't they a good lookin' couple?

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Did you know?

• In the 1960’s, some of the requirements to earn emblems for the Beehive bandalo included:
• Strive to get your full nine hours beauty sleep each night this month. Make it a habit!
• Increase your self-confidence by acquiring a good posture (sitting, standing, and walking.)
• Politeness in all things is the mark of a lady. Practice at home being considerate and polite. Learn to accept directions graciously. Conscientiously try to improve.
• Make the dinner hour joyous by improving table manners of the entire family.
• Look for something beautiful every day for two months.
• The first For The Strength of Youth pamphlet was printed in 1965.

1970s

Fashion:

Bell bottom pants.  Platform shoes.  Polyester.

(and yes, I watched Charlie's Angels)  :)

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Did you know?

• Bandelos were discontinued in the early 1970s.
• In 1974 the name is changed to Young Women, and the New Era begins.

1980s

Fashion: 

Over sized shirts, leggings, bleached denim, shoulder pads, and accessories were big and gaudy.
(This is Kathy, a couple years ago, dressed up for a Vanilla Ice concert at UVSC)  :)

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Did you know?

• The Values program was started in 1985.
• In the first Church wide Young Women activity, (on October 11, 1986) an estimated 300,000 gathered at sites around the world to release helium-filled balloons containing personal messages from the young women.  I remember this!

1990s - 2000s

Fashion: 

baby doll dresses, blue jeans/navy blazer/classic white shirt
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Did you know?

• A new camp manual was introduced in 1993, focusing on service, spirituality, and the Young Women values.
• In 2002 the Young Women Personal Progress program was revised and new Young Womanhood Recognition Medallion introduced.
• The words "strengthen home and family" were also added to the Young Women theme in 2002.
• In 2008 the value Virtue was added to the Young Women Theme.

Today

Fashion:

End with a presentation of all the young women. Each with a sash representing one of the value colors.  My thought would be to let the girls dress in their own way.  Celebrating their own unique beauty.(photo is of my beautiful daughters) :)
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Did you know?

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Over the years, the classes, requirements, and awards have dramatically changed. But the goal of learning to make the world a better place through service and self-improvement has been the same throughout the history of Young Women.
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Susan W. Tanner, Young Women general president , "If young women know of God's love for them, it will influence and shape all of their thoughts, feelings, and actions. They will understand they have a mission to perform in this life. They will have confidence in their ability to make responsible, righteous decisions. They will be able to resist temptation, to flee from worldly things, to dress modestly as is becoming of a divine daughter of God."