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What started as a small idea from a presentation at a church about a student-led program in Shelby transformed into a massive day of excitement for girls at the Galion Middle School. The first ever “Girl Power Day” for seventh and eighth grade girls took place throughout the Galion City School District campus May 14.

Mrs. Lynn Evans, a seventh grade English teacher at Galion Middle School, spearheaded the organization of the day’s activities with many members of the Middle School staff that included students going to the Intermediate and Primary Schools, and students from the Middle School going to the High School. The event was coordinated to coincide with the seventh and eighth grade boys’ involvement in the LeaderRichland program in Mansfield the same day.

“When I heard the high school girls from Shelby speak, I absolutely loved the ‘grass-roots’ nature of their program,” Evans said. “Through discussion with the girls’ leader, the Zoetic Zinnias agreed to visit with our seventh and eighth grade girls to share their story and more information about their program.”

A small group of girls visited the Intermediate School to help set up for the annual third grade Wax Museum program. Another group visited the Primary School to “buddy up” and read with students.

“Many of my students shared about their experience with the wax museum, so I contacted Mrs. Kim Chandler to inquire about Middle School students helping with setup for this exciting event,” Evans said. “The campus setting and beautiful weather helped make it more practical to get 120-plus girls from one building to another.”

Also scheduled for the day was an opportunity for the eighth grade girls to hear several graduating girls give their perspective on the high school years. Graduating seniors Addison Zeisler and Claire Erlsten, along with several other senior girls, took questions from their younger schoolmates and shared experiences about high school life.

While the eighth grade girls met with the seniors, the seventh grade girls were introduced to a new program at Galion Middle School. “Girls on the Run” is a program that promotes physical and emotional well-being of Middle School girls.

“The middle school years can be trying, and there are so many uncertainties and challenges that can bring one down,” Evans said. “I can’t thank the wonderful staff throughout the Galion City School District, including the teachers at the Middle School, enough for all their help in planning this wonderful opportunity for our girls. This fun, uplifting day will hopefully be cherished as a memory and used as a springboard to live a fuller life running over with Girl Power!”

For more information about “Girl Power Day” at Galion Middle School, please contact Lynn Evans at 419-468-3134.