Promoting a Positive Outlook

North Salem students Kate Fraioli, Anais Baldi, Sydney Barrella, Hannah Pastore, Amanda Siciliano, and Julia Chen. One hundred eight fifth and sixth grade girls from 11 area schools including Mahopac, North Salem, and Haldane learned an important lesson that fostered the philosophy of “I can.”

The young ladies participated last week in the 15th annual Women Helping Girls with Choices conference held on the Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES campus in Yorktown Heights.

The conference is designed to provide leadership training and includes a keynote address by an influential woman, as well as small group activities designed to foster self-esteem and leadership development.

Girls also discuss career options while being connected with women of achievement who encourage support and consideration of others.

Dr. Marla Gardner, BOCES Director of Curriculum and Instructional Services, described the 10- and 11-year-olds’ response as “positive. The girls always learn a great deal to take back to their schools.”

This year’s guest speaker was Jessica DuLong, one of the world’s only female fireboat captains, who told the students she is used to “coming up against stereotypes. I still hear that some jobs are for girls and others strictly for boys. That’s not true.”

DuLong explained that a “million things” led her to her line of work: “I never dreamed as a child that I would become a fireboat engineer, but we all must remember that thousands of opportunities are waiting for us around each corner. One never knows where life will take you. We always must keep our eyes open and realize that wonderful opportunities are found in unexpected places.”

Students from Putnam County gained valuable insight from the conference. Hannah Pastore of North Salem learned about leadership. Kate Fraioli was taught to believe in herself, and fellow North Salem classmate Julia Chen learned about teamwork. —Eric Gross