Learn About this Community Foundation Initiative Under PEARLS of Hampton County
Mentoring one young girl consistently from elementary school through her last year in high school would be an amazing and lasting privilege for both the adult mentor and the young lady. Such a long-term mentoring relationship is unusual. Now, imagine a group of community-based, PEARLS sisters (The Task Force or "TF") together, planning and monitoring a large group of girls through all those formative and critical years together. How rewarding would that be?
You do not have to look farther than Hampton County to find such an exciting program!
The PEARLS’ Girls, an initiative of PEARLS and Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, was started in 2011 with a dedicated TF of committed school administrators, counselors from both school districts (at that time) and other loving and caring community members. Sixteen girls from Hampton County have been active in PEARLS Girls for the past six to eight years. Approximately half of the girls are now juniors and half are seniors.
The program has always focused on providing educational and social development skills.
Through the years, together, we have:
- Held classes conducted by TF members
- Attended many seminars in Columbia and Charleston
- Attended three week-long PEARLS Girls summer camps, (many learned to swim for the first time)
- Invited 15 or more speakers/guests, etc.
- Field trips have been taken to colleges, museums, conferences, restaurants (manners lessons) and even to hear Condoleezza Rice on Hilton Head Island.
Even fun activities were tied to some other social skill learning.
These activities, and more, have been geared toward offering lessons, advice and instruction toward developing well-rounded and confident girls who are prepared for success before, during and after high school. The girls recently attended a four hour Extreme Scholarship Bootcamp offered by the PACE Scholarship Academy. The bootcamp included an interactive workshop with information on scholarship applications, essay writing, and creating successful resumes.
The Main Goal
Developing well-rounded students with an emphasis (always) on successful educational performance and positive social skills development. Girls were chosen by school teachers and counselors around these five qualities: Citizenship, Leadership, Responsibility, Character and Discipline.
All activities were geared towards these two objectives:
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Stressing and monitoring their academic performance: A strict academic policy has followed the girls throughout their school years: Summary of Policy: “During high school, each girl must maintain a 2.0 GPA, have required units for promotion to the next grade, have 24 units for graduation and maintain a 70 average in each subject.” Currently, the girls have a collective academic average of 90 (A).
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Stressing and practicing social skills: Emphasis has always been on speaking in public, greeting others and respectful behavior.
Now that the girls are nearing the end of their high school careers, we are very busy concentrating on college and technical school entrance tests, requirements for college applications and recently a concentrated effort towards helping learn how to acquire multiple scholarships.
