Being a young female adolescent isn't easy, but Midland nonprofit organization Beautiful and Dedicated Divas wants to make sure that teenage girls in the Permian Basin are set for the future.
Midland NBC affiliate KWES reported that the group, known by its acronym B.A.D.D., has one year under its belt and is determined to keep growing.
Founded by cousins Tiere and Kim Strambler, B.A.D.D. began last year with eight girls.
The membership has since grown to 18.
Tiere recalls how in the beginning, the girls – ranging from ages 12 to 18 – kept to themselves.
But because of the program, they're not afraid to be themselves.
"Some of them were shy and kind of withdrawn, but by the end of it they had all opened up and were engaged and very attentive to what we were teaching them," Tiere told KWES.
The program helps the girls with everything from self-defense to college preparedness.
It also teaches the girls important skills and life lessons.
B.A.D.D. has formed a partnership with the Midland Independent School District and is preparing to launch a new group for young boys, which has six high school students signed up, KWES reported.
These are accomplishments the Stramblers are extremely proud of.
"There are several times during the program that we had to step back and say 'wow,'" Tiere told KWES.
Kim said they're excited about what's next.
The program wants to stay connected with its mentees even after they graduate from its tutelage.
"We're there, they have our number, they can call us," Kim said, according to KWES. "Just keep them going through senior year and beyond."