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Dealing with issues such as teen sex and negative body images can be difficult for adolescent girls — but not impossible. That fact was obvious on Oct. 5, when Channel 9 cable access TV broadcast last spring’s “summit,” called Sister to Sister.
Nearly 100 girls, most of them now FHS sophomores, participated in the summit.
“Girls needed an opportunity to address problems that school education doesn’t,” said Catherine Flynn of Kalispell. “The Sister to Sister summit was another vehicle to get the girls’ voices heard (by) the public ear.” Flynn is president of the Montana chapter of the American Association of University Women, which decided to sponsor the summit to give girls a place to talk about issues that affect them.
“The program is meant to empower girls and (create) a place where we can give our opinions,” said sophomore Ursula Destefano. “It can give girls more self confidence and the ability to speak their minds.”
Student organizers of the summit were members of the Gemini group, which meets a few times a month to discuss issues.
In the Gemini program participants learn to deal with problems that teens face and discuss them with others.
“I thought that the summit was successful because they expressed what they really felt,” said sophomore Elizabeth Roberts
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“People had really good input and a lot of the girls really enjoyed it,” said sophomore Angel Preston, a member of the Gemini group.
This year the Gemini girls plan to further their mission by participating in a pilot program for sophomores that will focus on career development. Participants also will be able to do an internship toward the beginning of next year.
“The program was fun last year and there will be good job opportunities this year,” said sophomore Rebecca Schriener. “It was fun because you could be with your friends.”
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