GSSM’s Girl UP Organization
story by GSSM student, Madelyne LeVassiur
Chances are you’ve seen the groups of teenagers that swarm downtown Hartsville on Friday nights, or caught a glimpse of high school students that jaywalk across a four-lane road. These are more than likely kids enrolled at the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) – an intensely rigorous, residential high school which specializes in taking cream of the crop students from all across the state and preparing them for college and careers in STEM. Where kids who previously held class ranks in the single digits can embrace mediocrity.
The academics at GSSM are an enormous draw to the school, students who apply are looking for the best education possible, but there is also more to GSSM than labs and Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Every student on campus is involved in extracurriculars, whether they play on one of the varsity athletic teams or are a member of the multitude of clubs that are offered. A club that stands out at GSSM is Girl Up.
Girl Up is an organization that through a partnership with the United Nations works to improve the lives of girls internationally. Girls take the center stage in the effort to increase access to healthcare, offer educational opportunities, and instill leadership qualities into young women in need.
“I joined Girl Up because I thought it would be a great chance to build a community of girls here and to contribute to empowering girls all over the world,” says Anaïs Lawson, a GSSM senior and treasurer of Girl Up.
Previously, the club has collected supplies to donate to a local women’s shelter, and there are hopes of attending a women’s march in the future, along with fundraising events.
“We have a never-ending goal of helping women in our local community. We want girls to know that we’re here for them even when they feel the world may not be,” says Lawson.
In Hartsville where it’s nearly impossible to go out for coffee without being heckled by a passing car, it’s a relief to be able to feel a sense of belonging with those who have experienced the same hostilities. The residential aspect of the school furthers this feeling of community, and classmates become family. “The emotional stability we can provide for each other helps with the rigor of the school,” says Lawson.
It’s important to cultivate the interest that many young girls have in STEM, especially in fields such as engineering and computer science where men hold the overwhelming majority. Stereotypes and antiquated gender roles are major influences in girls not engaging in STEM activities when they are young, and it is crucial for girls to be encouraged to explore their potential interests in science and math without unnecessary obstacles.
“I think it’s important to close the gender gap in STEM fields in order to work towards eventually closing the gaps in achievement that have been caused by discrimination women have faced in the past,” says Randi Jennings, a junior member of Girl Up.
As more women get involved, the amount of female role models will inspire new generations. Strides have been made in making opportunities themselves more available to women pursuing a career in science, now the focus should be on building interest and improving the environment that women scientists will walk into.
Madelyne LeVassiur lives in Fort Mill, SC and is a junior attending GSSM. She enjoys biology, astronomy, and punk rock. After graduation, she hopes to travel the world.