New Beginnings - N.B.A. Style!

We had our New Beginnings celebration on February 9. Our theme was all basketball. N.B.A. - New Beginnings Association. We focused on Be Strong! to support the new mutual theme of Being Strong and of a good courage! It was held at the Rita Building gymnasium. I felt the program went really well.
Introductions were done by a member of our bishopric and another brother in the ward.
As the girls were introduced we dimmed the lights, turned on some fun music and twirled our flashlights in the dark and the girls all ran forward and high-fived each other!

The Players (young women)
The Cheer Squad (YW leaders)
The Coaches (Parents)
The Officials (Bishopric)
The NBA Representatives (Stake YW Presidency)

We introduced our new recruits (those that have turned 12 this past year) and those that have joined our team within the last 12 months (those of any YW age group that have moved into our ward). Some were previously interviewed and the laurels told about them on tape.
I loved that we all had matching T-shirts so we looked like were were all on the same team. The shirts have the 2010 mutual theme on them. We will use them throughout the year.

The Beehives presented the YW theme:

Then the beehives presented all in attendance with popcorn (concessions) while the YW leaders did some half-time entertainment (we performed some cheers!):

The Mia Maid class presented the YW Values:

Then we had a slide show of our 2009 activities, followed by the tip-off (coming events for 2010) given by me. I spoke of the coming YW events for 2010.
The YW then performed a song about being Strong and Courageous. They did a great job!
Next up was Clarification of Rules and Guidelines (For the Strength of Youth) talk given by Amy D., our second counselor.
Then we had two player interviews. Two graduating laurels shared beautiful testimonies of their time in YW and how they have enjoyed being a part of this 'team'.
Following that was the Playbook (a talk of the Personal Progress program). We involved two of the parents also and they read from a script telling about the recent changes in the Personal Progress program.
In closing we had the Bishop give the Fourth Quarter Commentary:

Very recently our ward boundaries grew in size and we added more YW to our 'team'. We now have 31 YW and gain three more within the next couple of months. We are excited to have more team members join us as we play in this game called life!