By Alaina Denean Deshazo | The Selma Times-Journal

Moms and daughters spent some time together Thursday evening getting pampered at Meadowview Elementary School. The “Pamper Me Pink” event was held as part of the 21st Century After School Program during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The moms and daughters had their nails painted and makeup done by organizations supporting the cause.

“Once a month we’re planning different activities or events that parents can come and participate with their children. Because it’s breast cancer awareness month, we just decided pamper me pink would be something great,” said Alicia Johnson, kindergarten teacher at Meadowview Elementary and program director.

“Just being able to do something that’s not just academics … that’s great. To see the parents come in and enjoy it, it makes me feel awesome.”

Tona Johnson was there with her daughter Madison Oliver, a fifth-grader. Tona said the event is great for her to be able to spend time with her daughter but to also have a conversation about cancer.

“It’s a positive side of dealing with breast cancer. We lost a close friend to breast cancer, and we had a conversation then,” Tona said.

“You hear about cancer, but when it hits really close to home, and you have to explain to your children that she’s sick, they hear cancer and they expect that everybody that has cancer is not going to survive. But this is an opportunity to celebrate survivors as well as those who have gone on.”

Tona said getting to have the time with her daughter is important, and she values the opportunity to do so.

“We get busy, and we get so task oriented, to take an opportunity to sit down and enjoy each others company it’s really nice,” Tona said. “I left work early to come here because it’s important to them to spend time with their parents.”

Alicia said putting the event together was fun for her, and she hopes that it will continue in the future.

“It makes me feel really good that this is something they enjoy,” Alicia said.

“This is our first time doing it. Hopefully, it will get the word out and other children will come with their parents next year and maybe we can extend it out to other people in the community.”