Exclusive to all girls from all backgrounds, SHE Club is a space for girls to come together, make friends, and support each other. This new club is founded by junior Julliane Dunmore and strives to create a comforting environment where girls can relax, bond, and complete crafty projects together.
At their second meeting, Dunmore kicked things off by offering water and cookies, followed by an icebreaker activity. Girls took turns drawing a question from a cup and sharing their answers with the group.
“Girls should be there for each other. I feel like a lot of times girls are put against each other, and it’s really competitive and not so friendly. I want to create a space where we can be more open and friendly with each other. A place where girls that don’t really know anybody can make friends,” Dunmore said.
During a meeting, the club made kindness jars. Each jar was decorated with various stickers, washi tape, ribbon, and positive messages that were etched on sticky notes. Dunmore, as well as the two sponsors, gym teacher Janeen Carlberg and counselor Megan Kappas provided materials and guided the girls through the process.
“We have girls from every class range, you know, freshman to senior. Girls that aren’t in the same group of friends come together here. With this club they realize, maybe we’re not so different. It’s okay if we are, and we can be friends no matter what,” Carlberg said.
Five juniors, one senior, and one freshman attended the second meeting. Each girl had something different to bring to the club, as shown through their own unique designs on their kindness jars.
“I was hoping for people to find a place where they feel safe and can have fun. Just interacting with people they normally would not interact with, and not feel self conscious about it. Everyone is nice here,” Dunmore said.
SHE club aims to improve the experience of every girl attending Plainfield South, whether it be a small compliment or a huge boost in their confidence. They strive to reach out to girls that cannot attend the meetings due to personal reasons, wanting to make any girl happy and welcomed to be here at South.
“Small things can make people feel amazing and people don’t even realize it, and I just want to focus on those things and make it more of an everyday type thing,” Dunmore said.
Looking ahead, Dunmore plans to incorporate more hands-on activities to keep girls who attend engaged and involved.
For the future, Dunmore, Calrberg, and Kappas hope SHE club can grow, and hope the girls that do attend the meetings tell their friends or other girls about the positive atmosphere of the club.
“Anytime you know someone has your back and can help you navigate through ups and downs, I think that’s key. Coming here highlights that everybody comes from different experiences, and every girl brings a different perspective to the table,” Kappas said.
