An annual event that offers middle school girls a fun place to learn important life skills, such as self-defense, outdoor skills and yoga, is returning this May.
The fourth annual Girl Empowerment Day, hosted by the Z Club, will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 6 at Jefferson City's Memorial Park Pavilion.
"It's a day for these middle school girls to kind of build confidence and get to know the high school girls and get to know each other," said Ramona Huckstep, Z Club advisor and member of the Zonta Club of Jefferson City.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.
The Z Club is associated with the Zonta Club of Jefferson City. The group, numbering 15-20, is made up of girls from Capital City High School, Jefferson City High School and Helias High School. The members volunteer and serve at a number of community events such as the HALO Art Auction and the Heart Ball.
"We support the HALO House by doing paper collections or bringing a meal a couple times a year. So the girls are very involved," Huckstep said.
Last year, the Z-Club's president and vice-president were the valedictorians at Jefferson City High School and Capital City High School, according to Huckstep.
"So that just kind of shows you the caliber of students that we have. They're very smart, confident young women who are very involved, so it's nice to see," Huckstep said.
Organizers say this event typically draws roughly 30-50 girls, but they're expecting a larger crowd this year.
Participants are asked to dress for the outdoors in comfortable clothes suitable for yoga and self-defense classes.
Huckstep said the girls loved the yoga session last year, so they knew they had to host it again. Another favorite from last year was the outdoor skills and fire-building session.
Outdoor skills specialist David Stoner hosted the fire-building workshop previously.
"And they were so excited just to be able to say, 'I started this little fire and I roasted a marshmallow.' It was one of those little things that are just very exciting for them and exciting for us to see," Huckstep said.
Following the isolation and uncertainty of the pandemic, a supportive day for young girls is needed now more than ever, according to Huckstep.
"I'm seeing a lot more anxiety and depression in young girls. I've read about it, but then I've seen it," Huckstep said.
In response, the Girl Empowerment Day boasts many activities the Z-Club hopes will aid young girls' mental health.
"We have a therapist who actually comes in and helps the high school girls do an icebreaker," Huckstep said.
In addition to the icebreakers, Huckstep said they train the Z-Club on signs they need to watch out for in the younger girls and each other so they can offer help to those in need.
The Girl Empowerment Day is partnered with various clubs, organizations and businesses.
"Hy-Vee has given us funds to provide breakfast, Chick-Fil-A is providing lunch," Huckstep said.
According to Huckstep, a teacher and NASA ambassador will be offering all kinds of experiments for the students, the Cole County Sheriff will be hosting the session on situational awareness, and Studio 573 will be instructing the girls in yoga.
"We're incorporating the new piece with the situational awareness and not being a victim through the Cole County Sheriff," Huckstep said. "That's a new one we're rolling out this year."
She added they realize phones and other distractions cause further risk to girls as they aren't as aware of the things going on around them.
In addition to the sheriff, female Cole County EMTs will be there with an ambulance to talk to the girls about their journey in the EMS field and give tours of the ambulance.
Each girl gets a bag at the end of the day containing giveaways from Scholastic, Unilever, Hitachi Energy and Jefferson Bank.
Huckstep said the event is a win-win situation. The high school girls get to learn about planning events and leadership, while the middle school girls get an opportunity to build confidence.
In addition, the $15 ticket price supports the Central Missouri Stop Human Trafficking Coalition in Columbia. Huckstep added the fee is not necessary if a family can't afford it.
"You know, in this day and age when you hear negative things about teenagers, these girls give up their time, their energy, are just so involved with their community. It's wonderful to see," Huckstep said.
She added: "When they come, it's 9 or 9:30 on a Saturday, they're tired, they're nervous, but by the time they leave, they're just so happy and they've made new friends."
Kate Cassady/News Tribune file photo: Girls from sixth grade to high school learn about confidence building skills as well as awareness on human trafficking at the third annual Girl Empowerment Day on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Memorial Park in Jefferson City. Left to right, Caitlyn Davis, Arin Hawk and Lani Cook practice violin to play for the girls. Davis, Hawk and Cook are all seniors at Jefferson City High School.
Kate Cassady/News Tribune file photo: Girls from sixth grade to high school learn about confidence building skills as well as awareness on human trafficking at the third annual Girl Empowerment Day on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Memorial Park in Jefferson City. Nanette Ward informs girls on the importance of being aware of human traffickers on social media.