
I could hear the chatter of young girls and boys from the parking lot. The kids were in a portable classroom right next to the basketball court. I walked up the ramp and entered the classroom buzzing with students. The after school program was filled with sixth and seventh graders huddled together in small groups.
Kendall, a Technovation coordinator (and really the woman in charge of keeping the kids on track), popped her head above the crowd and with a big smile directed me to join the small group of girls sitting in a makeshift roundtable.
I took a deep breath and expected everyone to ask me for a formal introduction, explain my qualifications and fill me in on the project.
Instead, the girls kept their eyes glued to their computer screens and continued typing.
I waited for a few minutes for someone to ask me a question. When that didn’t happen, I nervously asked one of the young ladies if I could see what she was working on. Reluctantly, she shifted her screen towards me.
The idea of the program, Technovation, is to provide the resources for girls to solve tangible problems through the use of the latest technology. The group of girls I would be working with were developing an app that will help people suffering from depression find a way to address and voice their condition. I asked how they came up with this idea and they explained that a close friend had become depressed following a family situation. The girls chose their words carefully, keeping their friend's story and identity confidential. They were assertive and passionate, they were confident and strong-willed.
They re-focused their attention to the screen.
I was a distraction until I took a moment and explained the skill set I would bring to the table. Throughout the three months mentorship (I would pop in for a few hours a month), the girls worked on everything from their marketing pitch, app design, graphics, coding and how to launch their idea. When we discussed their business model, the girls made it clear they wanted to build an app that would help the world but they wanted to be entrepreneurs. They didn't want to work for free. They wanted to get paid. They wanted to be the boss.
I wanted to jump out of my seat and cheer for these ladies!
For their brand strategy, we talked about the success of Nike Inc. and how the company has created a following based on the logo and what it represents (or who it represents). The girls designed a black line spiraling downward, providing an image of what it's like to be depressed. The name of the app is S.P.I.R.A.L. (Suicide Prevention, Isolation, Resources, and Appetite Loss).
On the last day, I helped the girls film their pitch. They asked for the video to be shot with good lighting and that I make certain the audio was recorded well. After each question I asked, they paused, collected their thoughts, and then replied. They were very aware of the their composure. One question, which had to do with the identity of the friend suffering from depression, clearly rubbed one of the girls the wrong way. She, wrinkled her forehead and said, "That's the worst question ever!". I burst into laughter.
I appreciated her candidness.
Throughout the program, I found myself comparing the girls with my 12-year-old self and my female peers at that age. I remember having visitors come into our classrooms and we were expected to offer respect and give them our "undivided attention". Years later, I came to the realization that respect needs to be earned, not given. When I was their age, I waited to be invited to share my thoughts on a subject. These girls aren't waiting, they are building their own tables and pulling up a chair.
(April 2017 marked the end of an unforgettable three month journey of mentoring two very passionate young ladies. It's programs like Technovation that build young girl's confidence and teach how to take control of ambitions and bring dreams to life.)
Kendall, a Technovation coordinator (and really the woman in charge of keeping the kids on track), popped her head above the crowd and with a big smile directed me to join the small group of girls sitting in a makeshift roundtable.
I took a deep breath and expected everyone to ask me for a formal introduction, explain my qualifications and fill me in on the project.
Instead, the girls kept their eyes glued to their computer screens and continued typing.
I waited for a few minutes for someone to ask me a question. When that didn’t happen, I nervously asked one of the young ladies if I could see what she was working on. Reluctantly, she shifted her screen towards me.
The idea of the program, Technovation, is to provide the resources for girls to solve tangible problems through the use of the latest technology. The group of girls I would be working with were developing an app that will help people suffering from depression find a way to address and voice their condition. I asked how they came up with this idea and they explained that a close friend had become depressed following a family situation. The girls chose their words carefully, keeping their friend's story and identity confidential. They were assertive and passionate, they were confident and strong-willed.
They re-focused their attention to the screen.
I was a distraction until I took a moment and explained the skill set I would bring to the table. Throughout the three months mentorship (I would pop in for a few hours a month), the girls worked on everything from their marketing pitch, app design, graphics, coding and how to launch their idea. When we discussed their business model, the girls made it clear they wanted to build an app that would help the world but they wanted to be entrepreneurs. They didn't want to work for free. They wanted to get paid. They wanted to be the boss.
I wanted to jump out of my seat and cheer for these ladies!
For their brand strategy, we talked about the success of Nike Inc. and how the company has created a following based on the logo and what it represents (or who it represents). The girls designed a black line spiraling downward, providing an image of what it's like to be depressed. The name of the app is S.P.I.R.A.L. (Suicide Prevention, Isolation, Resources, and Appetite Loss).
On the last day, I helped the girls film their pitch. They asked for the video to be shot with good lighting and that I make certain the audio was recorded well. After each question I asked, they paused, collected their thoughts, and then replied. They were very aware of the their composure. One question, which had to do with the identity of the friend suffering from depression, clearly rubbed one of the girls the wrong way. She, wrinkled her forehead and said, "That's the worst question ever!". I burst into laughter.
I appreciated her candidness.
Throughout the program, I found myself comparing the girls with my 12-year-old self and my female peers at that age. I remember having visitors come into our classrooms and we were expected to offer respect and give them our "undivided attention". Years later, I came to the realization that respect needs to be earned, not given. When I was their age, I waited to be invited to share my thoughts on a subject. These girls aren't waiting, they are building their own tables and pulling up a chair.
(April 2017 marked the end of an unforgettable three month journey of mentoring two very passionate young ladies. It's programs like Technovation that build young girl's confidence and teach how to take control of ambitions and bring dreams to life.)