Academy girls scramble each year to get their first choices on club sign-up day, but for the Teen Leadership Council, the process of welcoming new members goes far beyond a foot race. Every year, freshmen girls apply to be members of the Teen Leadership Council (TLC), a club which dedicates itself to mentoring middle school girls in monthly “Circles and Codes” meetings.
Selecting new members each year is challenging for Ms. Debbie Lubrano, AHN Guidance Counselor, and her recruitment committee because dozens of girls impress them with their leadership skills and sensitivitiy to others throughout the course of the application process.
The membership application includes an essay about the issues middle school girls face. Many girls provide substantive insight about how they would approach topics such as body image and peer pressure with young girls.
The next step toward membership consists of an interview that tests the girls’ ability to think on their feet. Out of the seventeen girls interviewed, unfortunately there were only ten positions available. After the tough decision process, TLC welcomed Gabby Accardi, Isabella Alfonso, Hadley Chillura, Audrey Cooper, Mary DesRosiers, Gillian Dunne, Jaime Jurado, Maddie Matesich, Alexandra Perez, and Christina Thompson to the club. The girls were thrilled to receive the traditional yellow flower on the morning of club sign-up day.
Presidents Alexandra Diaz and Alexandra Viso spoke excitedly about the new school year. Diaz commented, “We selected a great group of girls. I can’t wait to see how their skills carry over into our circles and club.”
Viso looks forward to passing on the knowledge she has acquired throughout her time in the club. She is particularly looking forward to the annual TLC training day. On this day, everyone in the club enhances their ability to lead a peer mentoring circle through guest speakers and related activities.
Jesuit students, who are alumni of the AHN middle school, have traditionally volunteered to lead the boys’ circles. This year, Jesuit High School officially created a “Circles and Codes” Club of 17 members, dedicated to the peer mentoring of the middle school boys. Jesuit students will lead monthly circles in conjunction with TLC and will also participate in the training day at AHN in October.
TLC will kick off its monthly circles on Wednesday, September 26. The club is also looking forward to participating in the “Light the Night Walk” on November 10, which benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
This school year is bound to be a hit for TLC because of its well-qualified new members and the TLC events that will develop their leadership skills in mentoring younger students.
