Teen Elect

Ty and I were asked by the Stake and to be in charge of Teen Elect for the Laurels and Priests (ages 16-18) in the stake (about 60 youth). Teen Elect is where they learn proper dating etiquette and the do's and don'ts of relationships. Ty and I got a great committee together and had alot of fun putting together this event. THe first week was full of workshops on proper dating etiquette like Why Date? Meaning, why should we actually go on date and just hang out in groups, basic etiquette and the Art of Rejection: How to reject and how to handle rejection. The kids a blast with this and the teachers were amazing. They were all young couples who had been married for only about two years or so, which the kids really appreciated. Then the second week we had a night of speed dating. This was the invitation that we mailed out to invite the kids. It was a huge success. The girls got all dolled up in the formal dresses and the guys came in their tuxes. So guys even went to the thrift stores and bought funky tuxes which were awesome. We had a red carpet rolled out and "paparazzi" (other leaders surrounding the red carpet with cameras) and a professional photographer. The kids just ate it up and totally hammed it up on the red carpet. Then we did a round of speed dating which they absolutely loved. THe whole time that they were speed dating, they had to vote one certain topics like, "Who was the the most charming," "Who would be most likely to be the president of the U.S." and so on. There were awards for both two boys and two girls. We had little statuesque awards to hand out that looked like an Oscar award. The gym looked amazing with intimate lighting and light music. Overall, it was a huge success and so much fun to see boys who would never approach a girl actually talk to them and a girl who started the evening alone in the corner, get a chance to talk to the most popular boy at church. I will post pics when we get them! Thanks to everyone who helped with the ideas and invitations!