They know how to sashay across the dance floor.

They can set an elegant table for a six-course meal.

They are the royalty of St. Paul Baptist Church, the young girls of the church who make their debut next weekend.

Participants in the church’s newest ministry, the St. Paul’s Princesses, will celebrate the program’s first six months with a cotillion at King’s Fork Middle School at 7 p.m. Nov. 19.

Fifteen girls, ranging in age from 8 to 16, and their young escorts will be dressed in their finest evening apparel for the night of promenade, waltzing and praising, said Jamie Russell, who is helping organize the program.

&uot;We started our new ministry, the St. Paul Princesses, in an effort to increase the self-esteem of the teen girls in our church,&uot;

Russell said. &uot;With all that is going on in the world, …we just thought it was important to teach them how to be young ladies.&uot;

&uot;We want them to become productive citizens and strong women with high expectations and standards,&uot; she added.

Since monthly classes began in July, the girls had learned to set tables, waltz, and to how to properly sit in a chair. Classes will continue to be held monthly.

Princesses include:

-Jasmine N. Richardson, 10, is the daughter of Hope and Dennis McCoy Richardson Sr. She is a student at Elephant’s Fork Elementary School.

-Crystal Jones, 10, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Linwood Jones Sr. She attends Elephant’s Fork Elementary School.

-Dawnisha Weatherspoon, 12, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Weatherspoon. She is a student at Kings Fork Middle School.

-Chasity Weatherspoon, 8, is also the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Weatherspoon. She attends Elephant Fork Elementary School.

-Tamesha D. McFarland, 11, is the daughter of Troy McFarland and Joyce Cherry. She goes to Kings Fork Middle School.

-Toni M. Chamblee is the daughter of Darrell Bailey and Emma Robinson. The 11-year-old goes to Kings Fork Middle School.

-Felicia L. Chamblee, 11, is the daughter of Michael and Elsie Chamblee. She attends King’s Fork Middle School.

-Latonya S. Chamblee, 10 is enrolled in Elephant’s Fork Elementary School. She is the daughter of

James and Tonya Chamblee.

-Keshia Y. Jones, 14, is the daughter of Linwood and Nancy Jones. She is a student at King’s Fork Middle School.

-Yurica Winnegan, 16, is the daughter of Joanne Winnegan. She attends King’s Fork High School.

-Quanasia Wilkins, 10, is the daughter of Joanne Winnegan. She is a student at Mt. Zion Elementary School.

-Tamike Sawyer, 9, is the daughter of Wyndell and Katie Sawyer. She is a student at Elephant’s Fork Elementary.

-Melissa Jones, 16, is the daughter of Linwood and Nancy Jones. She is a student at King’s Fork High School.

-Kesha Sawyer, 15, is also a student at King’s Fork High School. She is the daughter of Wyndell and Katie Sawyer.

Tickets to the cotillion are $10 per person. For more information, call Russell, 761-5432, or Ethel Brown, 539-0160.

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com