By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The Elite Ladies Club of Emily C. Watkins Elementary School in LaPlace recently held a signing day for both new and old members.

According to coordinator Bernetta Ambres, the club is invitation only, and all members and their parents must sign agreements of commitment for the upcoming year.

At the meeting, Ambres went over the mission and goals of the club for the current school year. In broad terms, the mission of the Elite Ladies Club is to teach girls, starting in the fifth grade, how to behave like ladies in all aspects of life. Because of the wide-reaching aspirations, Ambres said she feels she needs to have a commitment from the parents as well as the girls.

Ambres also noted there will be two changes to the way the club operates this year. She said there will only be one meeting per month to allow the girls to participate in other extracurricular activities. Elite Ladies meetings are mandatory. Additionally, parent will now be responsible for at least a portion of uniform costs.

She also said she hopes the girls can finish reading “I’m OK, You’re OK” this year. She also hopes to have a number of field trips and hold fundraisers. Above all, she said she hopes to develop the “oneness” of the organization.

In addition to the signing, the initial meeting also consisted of an inspirational reading from Elite Lady Kamika King and an award presentation to Belinda Rodgers of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, who has donated both time and money to the organization since its inception two years ago.