Gordon-Booth Announces This Year’s Annie’s Girls

PEORIA, Ill. – State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, will recognize Rissa Foster, London Griffin, Kaliyah Walker and A’ja Reynolds as winners of Annie’s Girls this Friday, a mentorship and scholarship program that helps cover the cost of prom and connects young women with leading mentors in the community.

“I’m excited to recognize these four amazing young women,” Gordon-Booth said. “It’s inspirational to learn how they have been actively engaged in our community, helping others and striving to become this city’s next generation of leaders. I’m proud of them, and look forward to getting to know them better.”

Named for Gordon-Booth’s mother Annie Jo Gordon, Annie’s Girls each year connects Peoria-area high school girls with mentors in the community. In addition to the mentorship opportunity, Gordon-Booth helps to take care of the girls’ costs for prom. This year’s recipients (as well as the time Gordon-Booth will visit them Friday morning to award them) are:

• Kaliyah Walker, Manual High School (9:15 a.m. visit)
• London Griffin, Quest Charter Academy (9:45 a.m. visit)
• A’ja Reynolds, Peoria High School (10:15 a.m. visit)
• Rissa Foster, Peoria Heights High School (10:45 a.m. visit)

Recent Annie’s Girls recipients have been connected with notable area leaders including Mayor Rita Ali, Pink Sugar CEO Kristin Kern Snider, real estate developer Katie Kim, Peoria County Superintendent Ronda Guyton and many other successful, caring women in the community.

“I created this program in loving memory of my mother, who gave me the values I live by every day,” Gordon-Booth said. “A’ja, Kaliyah, London and Rissa have a love for service, community and family, and I’m excited to help them feel special with their upcoming prom. I was not able to have a quintessential dress-up moment with my mom, but I love having the opportunity to help girls in our community with their special night without having to worry about the cost. The future is bright for Kaliyah, A’ja, Rissa and London, I look forward to connecting them with some of our great leaders.”