Spring Valley Middle School Hosts Girls Conference

A group of girls had a full day of learning even though they didn’t attend their typical classes on Friday. Instead of math, science, history and language arts, about 80 girls, mostly seventh-graders, participated in the fifth annual Girls Conference.

“Every single lady in this room has been hand-picked to be here today and participate,” said Principal Dana Wright at the start of the all-day event. “You’re very special, and we’re very proud of you.”

Students gathered at the school library where they received name tags, an agenda and snacks. The girls were divided into four groups that rotated through presentations about healthy relationships, self-esteem, money management and careers. The girls also received self-defense lessons from “Play It Safe,” goodie bags and a free lunch.

“Today could be a transformational day for you,” Wright said. “It could be a day that really turns you in a different direction if you really invest yourself today, listen, think about what’s being shared and keep it as a part of your life. Being a woman is a really special thing.”

Wendy Ullman, a representative from DebtWave, a nonprofit that provides credit counseling and management services, discussed “how to become a millionaire.”

Ullman explained what a financial goal is and asked the girls to write down their short-term and long-term goals. One student said she and her sister want to buy the $1,000 ice cream sundae at Serendipity 3. Another student said she wanted to buy a house by the time she turned 18.

Ullman also taught the girls how to create a money diary so they could keep track of their income and expenses.

At another presentation, Karla Mason, a counseling intern, discussed healthy relationships.

“I’m going to tell you as a woman to women, if you do not respect yourself, nobody else will,” Mason said. “That’s one reason why I like teaching this program. I like empowering my younger girls. If you start respecting yourself and giving respect to others around you, then you get respect.”

The girls watched a video with teens talking about real-life experiences. Afterward, the group discussed what a healthy relationship is and how to recognize an unhealthy relationship.

At the end of the day, the girls were asked what they learned in an evaluation of the event.

“I learned how to get out of a bad relationship,” said one student.

Another student said, “I learned how to use money and how to save money.”

Another added, “I learned not to put myself down.”

The annual event was organized by the Dream Team, an after-school girls’ group.

LaDreda Lewis, a former Spring Valley Middle School dean, founded the Dream Team about seven years ago.

“I just felt like some of the girls just needed a place to talk,” said Lewis, who is still actively involved in the group.

The Dream Team engages in educational activities and discussions every week.

Counselor Jean Lincoln helped continue the Dream Team after Lewis left the school.

“The goal is how to get through all the road blocks in life and still be successful,” Lincoln said. “That’s why it’s called the 'Dream Team.' ”

There are about a dozen students in this year’s Dream Team. The Girls Conference was created to help reach even more girls.

“It’s just empowerment, so that they understand that they’re in control of their lives,” Lewis said. “They have a lot of say in what happens and what doesn’t happen to them.”

Organizers asked teachers to recommend girls “who they thought could benefit,” Lincoln explained. 

“To me, it’s all the things that women need to learn to be successful,” Lincoln said. “This is stuff they just don’t learn in the classroom. We wish we could offer it to every girl on campus.”