NewsUpper SchoolStudent LifeFaculty/StaffAlumniAdvancementServiceResidential Life
Program gives senior girls WINGS for flight
Mar 31, 2003 8:00 AM
By Stefan Eady - Faculty
When Marcy Erwin, mother of Darlington senior Meggie Beth Erwin, approached Blythe Erlandson, head of Erlandson House, with the idea of a special program for senior girls, Erlandson was excited. The resulting program, WINGS, Women Identifying Necessary Gateway Skills, was designed to provide the girls with a few tips and pointers as they prepare to leave high school.
“Marcy did most of the planning for this event. I simply served as her campus contact and handled things like reserving rooms and answering the girls' questions before the event,” Erlandson said. About half of the 56 senior girls took advantage of the morning-long session on March 15. Speakers included Trina Rohner, Heritage Nissan, with tips for basic auto care and maintenance; Angie Lewis, Citizens First Bank, with tips for balancing time and money; and Jill Crunkleton, N.W. Georgia Assault Prevention Center, with tips for personal safety. Each speaker was eager to participate and all of the speakers donated items to be included in the goodie bags each girl received.
"The idea for the program sprouted from a conversation Mrs. Erwin had with a female graduate of Darlington. The former student said that she would have benefited from learning some basic skills that would make taking care of herself after high school much easier," Erlandson said.
Reactions from the girls who attended were generally on the evaluations they completed:
· “Very helpful in preparing you to be on your own.”
· “It makes you aware of situations you never thought you’d be in.”
· “It was great; just do it again.”
· “It exceeded my expectations.”
Erlandson hopes to make WINGS an annual event. Additionally, with parental help, a second program for senior boys with similar topics, yet separate from the girls. Parents interested in volunteering to coordinate the 2004 WINGS program may contact Blythe Erlandson at 770-547-9226 or e-mail her at berlandson@darlingtonschool.org.
“Marcy did most of the planning for this event. I simply served as her campus contact and handled things like reserving rooms and answering the girls' questions before the event,” Erlandson said. About half of the 56 senior girls took advantage of the morning-long session on March 15. Speakers included Trina Rohner, Heritage Nissan, with tips for basic auto care and maintenance; Angie Lewis, Citizens First Bank, with tips for balancing time and money; and Jill Crunkleton, N.W. Georgia Assault Prevention Center, with tips for personal safety. Each speaker was eager to participate and all of the speakers donated items to be included in the goodie bags each girl received.
"The idea for the program sprouted from a conversation Mrs. Erwin had with a female graduate of Darlington. The former student said that she would have benefited from learning some basic skills that would make taking care of herself after high school much easier," Erlandson said.
Reactions from the girls who attended were generally on the evaluations they completed:
· “Very helpful in preparing you to be on your own.”
· “It makes you aware of situations you never thought you’d be in.”
· “It was great; just do it again.”
· “It exceeded my expectations.”
Erlandson hopes to make WINGS an annual event. Additionally, with parental help, a second program for senior boys with similar topics, yet separate from the girls. Parents interested in volunteering to coordinate the 2004 WINGS program may contact Blythe Erlandson at 770-547-9226 or e-mail her at berlandson@darlingtonschool.org.
