College Here We Come
On Feb. 17, we took five high school girls from our GLOW! program to visit the campus of Towson University in Towson, Md. Many of the girls were excited to go because it would be their first exposure to a university campus. Campus staff praised our girls for their early interest and initiative to look into colleges. We toured the campus for 90 minutes. The girls visited the school’s recreation center (which included a rock climbing wall), science building, dining quarters, and school store. They also got their first glimpse of a college dorm, which all thought was pretty small for two people! The girls asked questions about different sports and clubs on campus, and about the overall course load and professors. They also got to touch the famous “Doc” the Tiger mascot’s statue.
The girls carried themselves very proudly, and asked questions about college and the different opportunities they could have. On the way back, the girls and the Community Bridges staff reflected about the experience and what some of the pros and cons about Towson were. One of our ninth graders was on her first college tour. She was very interested in college in general and stated that she enjoyed Towson and would consider applying there when she reaches her senior year in high school. The girls were excited about future college tours and learning firsthand about the college experience.
Advocacy Night in Annapolis
On March 5 our JumpStart! Elementary School Program Manager took two sisters to participate in Advocacy Night in Annapolis, MD, in collaboration with the Maryland Out of School Time network. The girls were given an audience with several elected officials, including Senator Karen Montgomery. The girls shared their experiences being a part of JumpStart! and spoke to the importance of funding for after school programs. When speaking with Senator Montgomery the girls also asked questions about the legislative process, inquiring about how a bill gets passed and how old they would have to be to work for her! Out of this conversation came tickets for their family to attend a play at the Olney Theatre, which Senator Montgomery donated herself. Thanks, Senator Montgomery, and way to use your voices, girls!
Women’s Rights Trip to Washington, D.C.
This March in honor of Women's History Month, JumpStart! Middle School focused on women's rights and women leaders. The girls watched the movie Iron Jawed Angels with Hilary Swank, a film about the women's suffrage movement in the US in the early 1900s. It tells the story of Alice Paul, a champion for women's voting rights. After seeing the movie, 30 middle school girls attended field trips to the Sewall Belmont House Museum in Washington, D.C. The house was the headquarters for the National Women’s Party. The girls learned about the female leaders and the ways they protested inequality, especially by using banners. Girls then had the opportunity to make their own banners for things they want to change in their communities now. Many girls shared that they were surprised by all that women had to go through to gain equal rights. It was a great trip!
It's Spring Break!
During the first week of April, our Program Managers will be busy taking our girls on several college tours. Trips are scheduled to Catholic, Howard, American, University of Maryland-College Park, and Dickinson College! Can you guess which got the most permission forms? (Hint- Carlisle, PA)
