THE SELMA TIMES-JOURNAL

The girls at George Washington Carver Homes have plans this summer.

The 25 members of Girls With Class want to go to Disney World. But that’s not the sole reason for the club.

“I helped them start it to teach them things about being young ladies,” said Mary Johnson, one of the mothers. “And, we just wanted to give them something to do during the summer.”

The girls, age 6-11, meet for two hours on Wednesdays and for three hours on Saturdays. They plan on going skating and bowling. They may be continuing their meetings once school begins.

“We’re just getting started. We’re teaching proper etiquette for eating, and manners,” Johnson said. “We had the kids stand up and had each one say what they wanted to do before school started. Some of them said fishing, bowling and swimming.”

The girls will have their first fun day this Saturday at the Ronnie Sharp Park.

“We’re going to have a little cookout,” Johnson said. “We’ll have water balloons, games and little stuff like that.”

The group received a boost this week from Ward 8 Councilwoman Janie Venter, in the form of a $500 donation.

“That will be used to purchase our T-shirts and help with Fun Day. The remainder will be put up until our second Fun Day,” Johnson said.

The club’s 9-year-old treasurer, Tyeisha Lewis, said she’s already learned a lot.

“I’m looking forward to learning things, like how to have meetings,” she said. “I made some new friends.”

Lewis said she and her new friends want to go on a trip to Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

“I went to Disney before. I went with my granddad. He lives in Mobile,” Lewis said. “I want to go back with my girl friends.”

The president is Jameria Wallace. Diamon Lowe is vice president.

The secretary is Shameka Harris and the assistant secretary is Jamie Woods.