A school with a focus: building self-esteem in girls

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San Marcos High School in San Marcos, California has the right idea. I had the distinct pleasure of not only being a speaker at two of their events in March and April but most recently, I also had the pleasure of speaking with individuals who were largely responsible for launching a program that helps build confidence and self-esteem in high school girls.

In 2007, the High School Counselor Lisa Stout, and then Assistant Principal Tiffany Campbell came together to address a growing concern they both shared: there was a universal problem with the self-esteem among the girl students on their campus. The issues that the girls were wrestling with ran the gamete: body image insecurities, eating disorders, dating abuse, and exposure to alcohol and drugs. They knew they would have the students for four years and asked what they could do to make a difference in each of their lives during that time.

Ms. Stout reached out to every resource she could find; what were other schools doing to address low self-esteem in high school age girls? After learning what different schools were doing to enrich the lives of their students, she and Ms. Campbell created what is now known as The Girls Empowerment Counsel.
The Girls Empowerment Counsel began with a vision; to get young women engaged in the development of a club that would raise awareness on specific topics and simultaneously build confidence in the young people it was serving.

Ms. Stout and Ms. Campbell began with a call for help—they told the faculty they were looking for students with natural leadership skills who could join them to co-create the counsel. After completing an application to join, Alessandra McDowell, who in 2007 was a sophomore, was selected to be one of the core people to develop what today is an incredible enrichment program on campus.
Alessandra shared with me that the mission of the group early on was to create a haven for girl students to share their experiences in a safe environment. The group meets once a week, highlights a topic that is tailored to address the challenges that the members are facing, and features a peer to speak to the group about their own experience with the particular subject. Along with the students, a counselor or teacher is always present to help provide resources and life skills to the club members.

In the spring, San Marcos High School together with the Girls Empowerment Counsel hosts an all day event on Saturday for girls. Attendance is voluntary and in years past the school has had as many as 200 girls attend. The experience includes speakers from all over the community who specialize in areas such as Making Positive Life Choices/Dealing with Today’s Pressures, Self Defense, Dating Abuse Awareness, Body Image and Advertising Illusions, Dangers with Social Networking, and Healthy Relationships. The day is comprised of a key note address to the entire group and mini-workshops which provide a more intimate environment for questions. This past year parents were invited to attend the event and the school hopes that in years to come parent participation will only grow.

The combined determination of staff and students has led to tangible differences in the lives of students. Alessandra is a fabulous example of a student whose life was personally enhanced by her involvement with the counsel over the course of the past three years. She shared with me that her college entrance essay highlighted the many valuable lessons she has gathered through her work and experience on the counsel. Clearly the school of her choice was impressed; she has been accepted to Pepperdine University where she will attend this fall.

The Girls Empowerment Counsel has shaped the lives of many the life-lasting lessons that the students have benefited from will carry them from their high school campus feeling strong; what a fine tribute to the staff and students of San Marcos High.