Royal Princess Breakfast serves up valuable messages to young princesses in attendance
By Jennifer Kneuss
May 1, 2011
337
Summary: A local church hosted almost a hundred young princesses for a very special morning of making memories and learning valuable messages about their self-worth.
Eighty eight small princesses whirled about in clouds of pink and purple tulle, tiny tiaras perched atop many of their heads, as they danced beneath sparkling chandeliers at First Christian Churchs Royal Princess Breakfast on April 30.
Larissa Carrick, early childhood director at the New Philadelphia church, explained that this was the second time the church has sponsored the event, which was wildly popular at its 2009 debut.
The Royal Princess Breakfast is designed to teach girls that they truly are princesses, because our Father is the King of Kings. Being a princess in the worldly eyes is not as important as being a daughter of God. We are trying to get the message to them that God treasures them and loves them just as they are, explained Carrick, who also wore a medieval style ball gown. Although the event was held the day after the much publicized royal wedding in England, Carrick said that the Princess Breakfast date had been set for many months.
It was not intentional to coincide with the royal wedding week in any way – this is just a happy coincidence, said Carrick with a laugh. But most of these smaller girls are much more interested in the idea of the Disney princesses. That fact was exemplified by the inordinate number of Cinderellas, Snow Whites, and Belle costumes drifting around the room. Only a few of the older girls mentioned yesterdays royal wedding event.
The Royal Princess Breakfast is the result of many months of planning and the hard work of dozens of individuals, as well as donations from the church community and local businesses.
We have a hostess for each of our 16 tables. They decorate and set up each table in a unique theme. There is also a maid-in-waiting for every table. We also have a lot of additional help today. All of this was done with a planning committee of seven people, commented Carrick. Each table is sponsored by someone, and they pay a set amount that takes care of the favors at the table and all of the food. We also received donations for the girls favors from Eihlers Candy Shop and Dr. Kevin Huff, DDS, and The Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County loaned us costumes, and the Dover High School drama department and Fox Nursery loaned us decorating items. That really helped out, added Carrick, noting that the breakfast event was completely free for the young girls attending.
Tuscarawas County Fair Queen Erin Vogel was on hand to visit with the little princesses at their tables, and said, I was thrilled to help. Magazines are touting a poor model of fake, airbrushed, thin, and plasticized images, even to very young girls. (This event) shows these girls that they are all beautiful, and that they are all princesses inside.
A trumpet heralded the arrival of the princesses they walked down a red carpet and were announced. They were then seated at uniquely decorated tables. The mornings activities included breakfast and a princess story time, followed by pink cupcakes and fun, free-spirited princess dancing. All of the girls received small mirrors, and were encouraged to look at their image and remember that they are princesses belonging to a true King.
Volunteer Amy McVicker commented, This is such an important day, for these little girls to know that they are princesses of God. We have a lot of little girls that come in from our community, and from our schools. My theme was butterflies, because they are beautiful creatures, and I added little lights. These kids are like little lights, and that is why I do what I do. (The girls) light up my world.
Elena Grace Carrick, one of the younger princesses in attendance, summed up her day by saying, At the princess breakfast, I heard a story, I sat at my table, and I danced. I learned that God is the one true God. Im a princess, and God is the King. God loves me very much.
