Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Last week I attended an adorable New Beginnings. The theme, "New Beginnings: Somewhere Over the Rainbow", was inspired by the movie, Wizard of Oz... just in case you hadn't already figured that one out. :)

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My understanding is that my oh-so-creative friend, Sara-Lynn, was the genius behind the decorations. She told me that she had collaborated with her sister, who also serves in the young women and did a similar theme. Gotta love sisters! - My sister, Kim, also had a Wizard of Oz themed New Beginnings... blog post to come!

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I took a few pictures and jotted down a few notes to share with you. :)  Wish I had taken better pictures and taken better notes... sorry.

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The laurel president conducted the night. She was dressed as Glenda the Good Witch.

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MUSIC FOR THE NIGHT

Opening Song:  I Like To Look For Rainbows - a.k.a. "When I Am Baptized"

Here is a beautiful piano cover of this song I found on YouTube, for you pure enjoyment and relaxation:

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Musical number: Somewhere Over The Rainbow, performed by a group of young women with guitar accompaniment by my daughter, Brie 

Just because I like to share... I absolutely love Eva Cassidy's music. Here is her rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow":

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WELCOME NEW BEEHIVES

All new and soon-to-be Beehives were invited to sit on the front row. Each of them were given a little picnic basket, lined with blue and white gingham fabric and tied with a white ribbon. Inside the basket was a cute little stuffed dog, "Toto". Throughout the night, their baskets were filled with all kinds of goodies.

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CLASS MOTTOS & LOGOS

Each class president took a moment to introduce their class motto and a little bit about what it meant to be a "Beehive", "Mia Maid", or "Laurel". The goal was to give the new and soon-to-be Beehives something to look forward to. :) After their brief introductions, they placed a gift into the girl's baskets; a representation of their class logo:

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Beehives - bee cookie

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Mia Maids - chocolate kiss rose

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Laurels - laurel leaf crown

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YW VALUES PRESENTATION

The young women presented the young women values in such a fun way. Each value was assigned to a different group of young women to present. Each group wrote their own mini-skit, with a Wizard of Oz theme. I wish I had taken notes on all their skits!

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Each group set a lighted mason jar (with the YW value on the front of the jar and in the color of their value) on the front table.

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Here is a list of "values-skit inspirations-goodies/gift":

• Faith - Lollipop Guild - foot lollipop
• Divine Nature - Cowardly Lion - packet of seeds
• Individual Worth - Wicked Witch - 100 grand candy bar
• Knowledge - Scarecrow - bag of smarties
• Choice and Accountability - Tin Man - tin can with hearts
• Good Works - Glenda, the Good Witch - toy wand
• Integrity - wicked Witch - purple "no-slip" headband
• Virtue - Ruby Red Slippers - cupcake, gold sprinkles, mini red slipper topper

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PRESENTATIONS
Personal Progress Ribbons

This took a bit of time. By class, the YW leaders handed out bookmarks, ribbons, and gold YW stickers (organized beforehand into envelopes) to those young women who had earned them.

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Personal Progress Completion - Royal Court of Ruby Red Slippers

Each young women who had completed the personal progress program was given one of these adorable paper shoes filled with chocolate dipped strawberries.

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Honor Bees - Queen Bee's

Each young women who had completed an additional 40 hour project, received her honor bee and a ginormous bee cookie (made by Beehives), a crown and a wand. Talk about the royal treatment!

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CLOSING REMARKS
The ward's YW President invited all mothers to join their daughters in completing Personal Progress. She had a personal progress book for every mother. :) Already working on it!
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Before the Bishop shared his remarks, he hid behind a wooden screen, using a megaphone, such as the Wizard in the Wizard of Oz. it was cute. His remarks went along with the theme, as he encouraged the young women in their journey along the yellow brick road - "life".
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DECOR/AMBIANCE