Young Girls - Future Voters

Beyond the Ballot: How High Tea and Young Minds Are Redefining Civic Leadership in Miami-Dade County

By Woodie Lesesne

It was a moment for the ages. A group of eager young, bright eyed, impeccably dressed young girls, all moving with the grace of a ballerina troupe. But they were all business. They were lining up and preparing to meet one of Miami Dade’s most important  leaders and the timing for this lesson couldn’t be more perfect. They readied themselves to meet Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections, Alina Garcia at her Doral headquarters. 

It’s Elections Season. Under the leadership of Velma Lawrence, CEO of the Embrace Girls Foundation, a extraordinary group of young ladies ranging from 2nd to 5th grade gathered for a day that blended poise, critical life skills, and firsthand government access. What unfolded was more than an educational outing; it was a masterclass in how early civic engagement shapes the voters and leaders of tomorrow.  

As we inch closer to the upcoming general election, much of our national conversation revolves around polling numbers, campaign ads, and heated debates. But true civic power is built far from the spotlight, it is instead built in quiet, intentional moments that show our youth that their voices matter long before they reach voting age.

At INFOCUS TV, as part of our ongoing election blog series aimed at driving education, engagement, and actual turnout at the polls, we recently witnessed a powerful example of civic education in action first hand, and it was amazing.

The Power of Preparation: Etiquette Meets Civic Purpose

With the big High Tea meeting moments away, the afternoon began for the "Enbrace Girls" with precise organization and choreography. Velma Lawrence led the young ladies like a seasoned orchestra conductor through a dress rehearsal before they stepped into Supervisor Garcia’s office. Remarkably poised, the girls were participating in their program's signature High Tea event.  I was thoroughly impressed by the way these little girls moved with such precision, technical competence and extraordinary confidence.

For the Embrace Girls Foundation, etiquette training goes beyond manners, it builds core life, critical thinking, and communication skills. Before sitting down with one of Miami-Dade’s most prominent public servants, these young students researched their host, studied her role, and drafted thoughtful questions.   

This level of preparation serves a larger purpose: when young people learn to articulate their thoughts and engage directly with leadership, civic duty shifts from an abstract idea into an active responsibility.

During the Q&A, structured as one on one and group talk, Supervisor Alina Garcia fielded a variety of thought provoking questions from the girls. The questions ranged from “What are you most proud of”, “Were you ever bullied”, “What do you see yourself doing 5 yrs from now”, “do you have a dog”, “What activity brings you joy”, ”lipstick or no lipstick”. Supervisor responded with clear, honest answers as she looked at each girl posing the question. What was clear is that these girls stayed engaged, laughed when a response was funny and expressed empathy when a sad experience was shared. That level of control is admirable and more than I can say for some adult settings. Vilma Lawrence and her team at Embrace Girls Foundation are committed to excellence and it shows.

 Supervisor Garcia also shared that her office’s duty extends far beyond managing ballots on Election Day. Year-round voter education and community outreach are essential to building a truly engaged community. As Garcia noted, the work of democracy begins long before the first ballot is cast.

Behind the Scenes: From High Tea to the Election Floor

Following a lively Q&A session, which in my view was the most powerful part of the entire event, the engagement revealed that these girls could remember good questions, were able to focus on the answers and ask follow up questions. Remeber we are speaking about 2nd-5th graders. It was a masterclass in building confidence in children.

Of course, there had to be photos, lots of photos for the history and memory books. Then the girls were treated to a guided tour of the Miami-Dade election facility. Seeing the detailed, secure processes required to run an election offered the girls a firsthand look at how public systems operate. Being a tech savvy generation, they got the idea of how things work pretty quickly.

Embrace Girls Foundation members asking voters to think and be educated about the issues before voting.

Connecting government theory with real-world administration instills early trust and interest in democratic institutions. It is clear that being an informed voter is critical to the democratic process. Supervisor Garcia also shared her personal story and career path. Encouraging the girls to study hard, prepare thoroughly, and dream big, she told them.

"The sky is the limit, and I know you will do great things and be successful."

Every student left the facility inspired, energized, and more keenly aware of her potential to shape her community.

This impactful gathering took place during a convergence of several major civic observances:

• Voter Education Week: Highlighting the tools voters need to make informed decisions.

• International Day of the Girl: Celebrating young women taking up space in leadership roles.

• Hispanic Heritage Month & National Women’s Small Business Month: Recognizing diverse voices driving regional progress.

All of these milestones point toward a central date: Nov 3 Election Day

                                                         Be the Example, Use Your Vote

The lesson from this event is clear: it is never too early to engage young minds on how democracy works. Early engagement builds active, informed adult voters. When we model civic participation, we show the next generation that their voices and decisions hold real weight.

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Official Voter Resources

To check your voter registration status or locate official election details in your area, visit your official election authority resources:

• www.votemiamidade.gov

• Local Registrations: Check your official state portal or visit the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Office for regional updates.

• Federal Information: Access nonpartisan voting guides and eligibility rules through USA.gov Voting and Elections.

• www.browardvotes.gov

• www.votepalmbeach.gov