Birth, Education, Training and Acceptance (BETA) of Titusville, Inc. hopes to help curb this trend by opening the lines of communication between young girls and their parents with the help of its annual event, "Girls Are Great! A Celebration of Growing Up and Understanding Our Changing Bodies."

Sponsored by the Jess Parrish Medical Foundation, the event takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 7 at the Brevard Community College Titusville campus Gymnatorium, 1311 N. U.S. 1. For a cost of $3 per girl or $5 per family (adult admission free), local girls from 9 to 12 years old and their mothers, fathers or another adult can enjoy a day of learning, bonding and growing together.

    "This year's event is going to be the best one ever. We have a wide variety of activities planned and are expecting a very large turnout," said Pat Mackey, event chairwoman. "Knowledge is power, and we want to give young girls the knowledge to take care of themselves and their bodies."

    There will be time to register and visit the resource fair at 8:30 a.m. The fair will include display tables from more than 20 community agencies and businesses, such as Sunshine Health Foods, YMCA, Florida KidCare, the Titusville Art League and the Kennedy Space Center.

    At 9 a.m., there will be a welcoming ceremony, followed by a fashion show with manners commentary. The fashion show will include clothing from J.C. Penney Co. Inc., modeled by girls from Beth Rodamer's Encore Models.

    From 9:35 to 10:35 a.m., Shelley Beville, a registered nurse, who is on staff at Astronaut High School, will discuss the transition from childhood to adulthood, and give a clinical explanation of a young girl's changing body during adolescence and puberty.

    "This is an event that I find very important in our community," said Kathy Jenkins, treasurer of BETA.

    "As a mother and grandmother, I can definitely say that this information is something that mothers and daughters need to feel comfortable conversing about openly, and this event will help them to do just that."

    After the nurse's presentation, the girls and their accompanying adults will enjoy refreshments, including fruit, vegetables, cheese, muffins and desserts made by members of St. Teresa Catholic Church.

    Next, everyone will learn about adapting to changes in goals from Melissa Williamson, a 1989 Titusville High School graduate. Williamson earned a doctorate degree in podiatry, discovered she was not interested in fighting government paperwork as a physician, and is now employed by the THS and BCC medical academies and also works as a personal trainer.

    At 11:20 a.m., Titusville's 2003 Junior Miss and AHS graduate, Megan McKenna, will give a presentation entitled, "Be Your Best Self." This will be followed by a rap session during which the young girls will discuss questions drawn out of a basket with peer models from the medical academy and health occupations classes at THS.

    Some of these questions will include, "When should I get a training bra?" "Can chocolate make my face break out?" and "What if a boy in my class teases me all the time?"

    "BCC is very proud to host this event since 1995, and we consider it a great service to the community," said Ann Giles, BCC representative for the event.

    "From the large numbers of girls that show up each year, we know that this program is needed and wanted in our area."

While the girls are participating in their rap session, the adults will attend a parenting skills session conducted by Clairese Austin, who holds a degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida. Afterwards, the two groups will join at 12:15 p.m. for a craft provided by Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse.

    At 1 p.m., there will be a conclusion and door prizes. These will include a variety of gifts, coupons and gift certificates from local businesses.

    Pre-registration is encouraged for "Girls Are Great." However, registration will be accepted at the door if seating is available.

    "We really appreciate the support of the community in making this event a success each year, and are especially grateful to our sponsor, the Jess Parrish Medical Foundation," said Bert Williamson-Musco, BETA secretary.

    "All the mamas, grandmas, aunties and family friends of the area are encouraged to come out and enjoy this event with a young girl that they care about."