Leaning forward, members of the Smart Girls Club took in every word Anna Seigler said.

"I grew up in a typical American family," she began. "I had a safe, secure family. It was a loving family."

She and her father shared many things, including a love of chocolate and the annual viewing of the Miss America Pageant, Ms. Seigler said.

There was one event from 1981 that she'll never forget.

One day, her husband came home early and told her to call her parents' house. She knew something was wrong but she wasn't prepared for what she was about to find out, she said.

Her father had committed suicide.

"From that point, my life became real confused," Ms. Seigler said.

She got a divorce. Angry, every day she would ask God why he let terrible things happen, she said.

The turning point came years later - on the day she didn't ask why.

"It was like my attitude changed immediately. All of a sudden, I knew what I was supposed to do in life," she told her captive audience. "I didn't hear a voice. Instead, I got an idea."

That idea was to create a suicide awareness program, Love for Life, which was kicked off at North Augusta High School in 1989.

Concluding her talk, Ms. Seigler urged the club members to remain positive, no matter how tough life gets.

"'Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine,'" she said, quoting Anthony J. D'Angelo.

Speakers such as Ms. Seigler who talk about real issues are key components of the Smart Girls Club, founder Pat Van Hooser said.

"These girls know that we care about them," she said. "They know that they are going to get the real story here, and I think that's why they come back."

The Smart Girls Club is a book club that teaches girls how to apply lessons learned from reading and guest speakers to their daily lives.

The girls look forward to reading a variety of books each month.

"I like that we get to read books," said Te'Oshma Youmans, 12. "I read a few pages a day, depending on how long the book is."

Maya Bodrick, 16, agreed.

"I like many of the books that we read, and some of them have become my favorites, like Holes (by Louis Sachar) and Smart Boys and Fast Girls (by Stephie Davis)," she said.

"The thing I like most are the guest speakers," said Kendra Brown, 13. "When they come, I get to learn new things and experience new things."

The club accepts new members throughout the year. Those interested in joining should check out the club's Web site, www.smartgirlsclub.org, Ms. VanHooser said.

Reach Nikasha Dicks at (706) 823-3336 or nikasha.dicks@augustachronicle.com.