The music was loud. The elementary school girls were having an afternoon out at Bethlehem Skateaway in Bethlehem Township – some were roller skating, some were playing a table game with Haneef Muttaqi, an adult volunteer, and others were walking or lounging around in their socks just talking with friends. The June 27 skate party was part of bigger plan.

They were all part of a pilot program designed to improve the self-esteem, health and education (SHE) for girls aged 9 to 10 years. The program is based out of Fountain Hill Elementary School and sponsored by the Community Action Committee of Lehigh Valley (CACLV).

According to the director of the program, Dolores Singletary, the program has 21 girls, but she said that it is a pilot program that she hopes to expand into a national organization. She said Murat Guzel the CEO of Allentown-based Natural Food Group provides funding for the program.

After the girls leave the program and go into middle school, some may return as mentors to the younger children, according to Sherley Perdomo, a program facilitator in the group.

“We will monitor them as they go through middle school,” Perdomo said.

“They meet once a week for about one and quarter hours,” said Perdoma, who took a break from the skating party to talk.

“We talk about issues such as bullying, self-esteem, decision making, leadership skills, positive body image, social media, healthy live styles and healthy relationships.”

According to Ginny Sandoval, another adult leader with the group, “Girls at this age can be very mean. We are trying to terminate the girl’s bullying problem.”

“Bullying is a power struggle,” Sandoval said. “The girls with high self-esteem don’t bully.”

The message isn’t lost.

“We get to go on fun field trips and we talk about bullying and feelings,” said Janiyah Kinder-Love, one of the students.

Her classmate, Brianna Marshall agreed.

“We are learning not to bully people,” she said.