Girls’ Leadership Group Visits Hedgerow Studio
A Girls’ Leadership Program for 7th and 8th graders was held at Springton Lake Middle School in the Rose Tree Media School District this year, a collaboration between the school, the Women’s Resource Center in Wayne and Healthy Communities Initiative (HCI). The students took an end-of-year field trip to Hedgerow Theatre in Rose Valley, for a career exploration day. Hedgerow employees and fellows gave the girls an overview of the numerous jobs involved to bring a theatrical production to the stage and a chance to see female leaders in action.
During the 12-week program at Springton Lake, activities included group discussions, videos and hands-on activities, with the goal of identifying leadership qualities, strengthening problem solving skills, recognizing the value of diversity, and resisting peer pressure to get involved in risky behaviors. The Springton group was coordinated by Springton Lake transition guidance counselor Sue Griffin.
HCI has been working closely with the district since 2000 to build the 40 assets that children need to “develop into healthy, caring and responsible adults.” These assets were identified through research conducted by the Search Institute, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. The Girls’ Leadership Program covered many of these assets, including support from adults, empowerment, positive identity, positive values, and developing social competencies, including peaceful conflict resolution. These assets have been linked to success in school and a reduction of risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol use.
For more information on HCI, visit www.hcicares.org, email consultdana@aol.com or call 610-566-8272; and for the Women’s Resource Center, visit www.womensresourcecenter.net or call 610-687-6391.
At the Hedgerow Studio were (kneeling in front) Hedgerow Theatre fellow Mellitta McKethan; (front row, l-r) Hedgerow fellow Tara Haupt, Springton students Lauren Turet, Devyn McPheeters and Grace Hill, Hedgerow fellow Maggie Cogswell; (second row, l-r) Springton students Katie Britton, Allison McCabe, Sarah Lippman; (third row, l-r) Christine Lombardo, Ambria Smith and Lizzy Powell; and (back, l-r) Hedgerow Artistic Director Penelope Reed and Springton students Danielle Cullen, Talia Mingey, Emily Nestel, Angel Garcia, Stephanie Turnball, Springton Lake guidance counselor Sue Griffin, Danielle Galinsky, Natalie Hummel, Paige Phillips, Megan Bradson and Erin Lee Kelly, of the Women’s Resource Center. Brianna Barrett and Talia Kaplan also participated in the Leadership Program.