WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington Middle School students Hailey Costello, Kyleigh Daniels, Aida Gachago, Alexa Hobal, Cora MacGregor and Emma Surette attended the “Empowering Girls Conference” on Thursday, April 16 at Nashoba Valley Technical High School in Westford. The event was co-sponsored by Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and the Middlesex Partnerships For Youth.
Accompanied by Guidance Counselors Deb Hornung and Kelly Laroche, the girls spent the day listening to presentations on confidence-building, self-assertion and goal-setting. Speakers included District Attorney Marian Ryan, Assistant District Attorney Christine Malty, Dr. Dana Gordon of Riverside Community Care, and Traci Jackson Antoine of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts. These role models emphasized the conference’s theme — “I’m Worth More” — with a focus on “recognizing healthy relationships, setting goals, and the power of being positive.”
In his weekly newsletter to staff, Principal Ralph Olsen discussed the effect the event had on the young ladies from Wilmington.
“Our students listened attentively and benefited greatly from this experience. They entered the conference timid, quite and shy. They left the conference laughing, singing and confident. They truly were empowered! They bonded as a group and considered themselves friends by the end of the day, sharing phone numbers… It was a wonderful day and an experience the girls will never forget!”
Wilmington Apple 