Girl’s Advocacy Group Celebrates 30 Years With Debutante Cotillion

Philadelphia, PA — On Saturday, June 13, 2015, Teenshop Inc. celebrated its 30th Anniversary with a Debutante Cotillion. The formal gala mirrored traditional African American cotillions that place an emphasis on community service, achievement, manners, fashion and etiquette.

Elleanor Jean Hendley, Teenshop’s founder and CEO, beamed with pride as the beautiful debutantes and handsome escorts waltzed to classical music, and the junior debs performed an inspirational song. “I am so proud of our girls and thrilled to watch them take steps both literally and figuratively toward becoming successful women as they pursue their goals,” stated Hendley, a former Debutante Cotillion Queen.

Mistress of Ceremonies, Cherri Gregg, Esq., Community Affairs Reporter for KYW News Radio and president of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists and Master of Ceremonies, Solomon Jones, WURD Radio Host, Daily News Columnist, presented each young lady to a room of over 600 guests from across the country.

Debutante Cierra Beckett, who will be attending the University of Pittsburgh in the fall said, “Not many girls can say that they were able to participate in a Debutante Ball. Teenshop has taught me how to be a productive member of society.”

The Teenshop program is an innovative series of workshops, field trips, college tours, and community service projects designed to encourage academic excellence and promote abstinence. Membership is limited to students thirteen to eighteen who are not parents. Workshops are held every two weeks on Saturday mornings from September to June under the direction of a five-member team of career women. The adult workshop presenters are experts in their diverse fields ranging from financial literacy, social graces, and health and fitness.

Next up for Teenshop is its 7th Residential College Prep Summer Program for Rising Senior Scholars held at Bryn Mawr College in Montgomery County, PA beginning July 12th. This year for the first time, the week-long program will be open to girls nationwide.

About Teenshop Inc.
The Philadelphia-based college prep program founded in 1985 by Elleanor Jean Hendley, an Emmy Award-winning former Philadelphia CBS 3 TV news journalist and talk show producer/host. More than six thousand girls have been enrolled and all graduates matriculate to college. A total of five chapters are located in Philadelphia, PA, Camden, NJ, and Los Angeles, CA.

For more details, visit www.teenshop.org or follow them on Twitter (@teenshop1985).

 

PRESS CONTACT:
Elleanor Jean Hendley, Founder and CEO
215-851-1843
Teenshop1985@gmail.com