High school sisterhood

Sister-to-Sister, a program of the AAUW, gives junior high girls a look at the high school years ahead, through the eyes of their high school 'sisters'

February 16, 2005

By KATIE WATTS
ARGUS-COURIER STAFF

"I had older sister-type people who helped me," said Petaluma High School junior Emily Drew. "If I hadn't had people like that, I don't think I would have felt as comfortable as I did starting high school."

Drew is one of almost 40 girls from Petaluma and Casa Grande high schools who will be participating in the Sister-to-Sister Summit, an American Association of University Women program that seeks to ease the transition by junior high school girls into high school. The summit provides the opportunity to discover common experiences, and teaches ways for the girls to support each other while gaining new skills, making friends and working together.

The senior high school girls range from freshmen to seniors and are all volunteers, but recommended by teachers or staff at their schools said AAUW member Linda Beth Freese.

"The girls are committed," said Mady Cloud of the AAUW. "Of those who took part last year, most are repeating this year."

Sister-to-Sister is open to any local interested seventh or eighth grade girl, but is limited to the first 100 sign-ups.

Nisha Punatar, who was in junior high two years ago and participated in the program, has volunteered this year as a mentor, as has Chelsea Clark. "It helped me and my friends know about high school," Nisha said. "It was fun. The girls were welcoming and made it feel comfortable and outgoing. I was able to talk to everyone. It really prepared us for what high school would be like." She's back for the second year as a mentor because she likes the program so much.

Chelsea said she appreciated participating in Sister-to-Sister as a junior high student because "it gave me more awareness of what was going on in high school, and more confidence.

"I got involved because I thought it was a good way for high schoolers and junior high girls to get together and look at the issues." Chelsea also likes being in the program just because it's fun.

The day-long event, based on a national model, takes place March 12 in the multi-use room at Casa Grande High School. The atmosphere is one of fun and celebration that allows for open discussions on topics such as peer pressure, dating, addictive behavior, eating disorders and constructive relationships.

The high school girls started working on the program back in December, meeting every other Wednesday evening. They've heard speakers on group dynamics, public speaking, and nutrition and body image. A junior high teacher talked with them on the big issues in junior high school, what's changed since they were in junior high and how to talk to the younger girls about the hard issues, and Casa Grande human interaction teacher Lynne Moquete guided them through the more delicate issues, such as how to talk about drugs and sex.

They've also laid out the program with the AAUW members, created the decorations, planned the breakfast, lunch and snacks, picked out ice-breaker games, had ideas for skits and chosen journals and T-shirts.

This year's themes are all based on facing: facing yourself, taking responsibility; facing your opportunities, balancing school, family and friends; and facing your future, trying different things.

The themes grow from the core "Four C" Sister-to-Sister concepts: connections, celebrations, choices and challenges.

Although some of the high school girls acknowledged one reason they were eager to participate was because it looked good on college applications, all are genuinely interested in the program and its benefits.

"I'm the oldest in my family," said Claire Scheumann, "so this kind of program would have been really beneficial for me."

Kelly Sepich, a senior who is planning on majoring in gender studies, joined up because, "working with all women is very stimulating, especially mentoring young women. It allows me to let them know my ideas, and how high school affected me." It's also a chance, Kelly said, to pass on two key points she has sometimes struggled with: how to stay organized and the perils of procrastination.

Melanie Clegg thought the program would be "a good experience, to work with younger kids and tell them things they'll experience in high school and how to deal with them. There are a lot of challenges to deal with."

"High school can be uncomfortable," Emily said. "You're leaving your comfort zone. I hope at least one girl I talk with will walk away with some confidence and feeling better about herself."

(To sign up for Sister-to-Sister, or for more information, call Corey Benjamin at 762-8389.)

(Contact Katie Watts at kwatts@arguscourier.com)

SISTER-TO-SISTER

What: Sister-to-Sister, a day-long mentor program designed to introduce junior high girls to the problems and challenges they'll face in high school

When: Saturday, March 12, from 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Where: Casa Grande High School, 333 Casa Grande Road

Cost: Free

Registration: Open to all local seventh and eighth grade girls, but limited to the first 100 girls who sign up. For a registration form, call Corey Benjamin at 762-8389. Deadline is Monday, March 7.