Spring ISD Girls' Leadership Summit Brings Over 400 Students Together for Day of Positive Mentorship
Over 400 female students gathered at Dekaney High School on Saturday for the 6th Annual Spring ISD Girls’ Empowerment and Leadership Summit.
Hosted by the Spring ISD Family and Community Engagement Department, this yearly event is designed to equip young girls with the skills needed for future leadership while addressing their current social, emotional, and academic needs.
Sanaia Kabora, a freshman at Dekaney High School, was among the attendees who eagerly returned for her second Girls Empowerment Summit. Reflecting on their experience, she expressed her enthusiasm for last year’s event and her anticipation for the new themes this year.
“My experience last year was amazing,” she said. “That’s why I wanted to attend again. I feel like you are giving all of us - the girls - a special spotlight and reminding us that we are more important than how we feel.”
The morning kicked off with excitement as students enjoyed T-shirt and swag giveaways, photo booth opportunities, and a hot breakfast. This was followed by a warm welcome program at the Dekaney Star Theater.
With upbeat music and dancing, the Family and Community Engagement team energized the crowd with the classic “wobble” dance. Building on this vibrant start, Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa delivered an inspiring message.
“I want you to think about your potential,” Dr. Hinojosa said. “Look around you; we have amazing women here today who help lead Spring ISD, yes, women lead! And I want you to believe in yourself and in the power within you.”
Dr. Hinojosa also emphasized the significance of the sessions in skill development and urged the students to make the most of the summit.
As the students prepared to head to their sessions, Angeline Flores, a 7th-grader from Claughton Middle School, shared a special moment with the superintendent. As the student was leaving the Star Theater, she hugged Dr. Hinojosa and expressed, “Dr. H, you are my idol.”
Angeline, like Dr. Hinojosa, comes from immigrant parents and identifies with the superintendent’s journey, recalling Dr. Hinojosa’s own experiences as a child attending public schools. Angeline dreams of attending college and helping her mom after graduation.
Throughout the day, students had the opportunity to choose among sessions focused on a variety of topics, with special emphasis on College and Career Readiness, Social and Emotional Support, and Leadership Development.
Claughton Middle School Librarian Yolanda Merritt served as a presenter, empowering the girls to believe in themselves. Each student left with a gift bag containing items to serve as reminders of the session, including a notebook, a multiple-color pen, a squishy toy, and a mirror – all symbolic of their worth and potential. The notebook served as a reminder that each student is in charge of her own story. The multi-colored pen signified the students’ ability to reshape their narrative. The squishy toy helped in identifying and managing anxiety, fostering control over thoughts and emotions. Lastly, the mirror serves as a reflection of their uniqueness and worth.
Spring ISD appreciates the many volunteers, sponsors and presenters who made the event possible.
Source: Spring ISD
