On October 22nd our girls voted for their choice of President. The girls had a great time participating, learned about the voting process, the candidates, and why it’s so important for them to vote and let their voices to be heard. Thank you to all the girls who participated and volunteered as the Town Clerk and Warden! According to our girls’ votes and girls’ votes from all over the nation, Barack Obama and Joe Biden won with 74% of your votes, while John McCain and Sarah Palin earned 26%. Thanks to all the girls who voted!

This year our own Rita Sullivan was the recipient of the 2008 Girls Inc. National Scholarship. Rita’s involvement with Girls Inc. dates back to her swimming lessons as a baby and has evolved over 17 years to include active membership, multiple volunteer roles, and a paid staff position. She literally grew up at Girls Inc.; her older sisters and mother were also active members and volunteers. Being one of seven children, Rita has strived to create her own identity. She has excelled in academics, participated in three different sports, and been active in many school and after-school

Valerie S. Loring Girl of the Year Award was created in 1995 to recognize Ms. Loring’s unwavering commitment to Girls Inc. for more than 30 years. The award is given to girls who exemplify the qualities of vision and leadership, courage and perseverance, generosity and compassion and dedication and sincerity.

Kids Klub is an after school, facility-based program located at Great Brook Valley for girls & boys ages 5-12.

This well-balanced program offers a variety of activities that are fun and interactive to help children develop leadership and social skills as well as increase their confidence, self-esteem, conflict resolution abilities, interests, and hobbies. Program activities focus on several areas, such as education, arts, technology, and sports. Over the summer the group took a trip to Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH.

Thanks to over 160 individuals who attended the Girls Celebration Event on Thursday, May 10th, at the Blais Pavilion of the Lazare Research Building at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Girls Inc. recognized six successful women and girls for their demonstration of courage and perseverance, generosity and compassion, dedication and sincerity, and vision and leadership throughout their community.