Girl Up is a United Nations sponsored organization that raises awareness and fights gender discrimination in the community, according to the Arrowhead website.
“The club organizes awareness, fundraising, and advocacy activities in our community to make sure that all girls — here and around the world — are educated, healthy, safe, counted, and positioned to be the next generation of leaders,” says Girl Up club advisor Jennifer Passler.
Arrowhead Girl Up has coordinated many events during the first semester including hosting a Culver’s Night Fundraiser for Pepper the service dog and creating STEM learning packets for local elementary and middle schools.
“[Girl Up] raised over $500 for Pepper. This equates to 5 months of pet insurance, or about 8 months of grooming,” says Passler.
Pepper is the Waukesha Victim Assistance Facility Dog, according to a document shared by Passler.
Girl Up created and sent STEM packages to elementary schools.
“We created over 50 packets to be shared with students for free, so that they can continue their skills practice at home,” says Passler.
The club has done other STEM focused activities like combining with the AHS Cyberhawks 706 club to offer a STEM Night for local middle school students and partnering with the AHS Engineering Club to offer an introductory/informational session on computer science to all Girl Up members.
“I think the club’s most successful event was the Women in STEM Event with the Cyberhawks because it inspired so many middle schoolers and was a lot of fun,” says Girl Up student leader
Nidhi George.
Girl up has also hosted programs on physical and mental health.
“We held a yoga session the week before exam week to promote self care,” says Passler.
The club has teamed up with other Arrowhead clubs and teams to raise money or
Girl Up supported the Girls Volleyball Team’s fundraiser for breast cancer research and volunteered at the DECA Trunk or Treat fundraiser, says Passler.
According to the Arrowhead website, any Arrowhead student can join the club and members are expected to complete at least one to two volunteer events per semester.
“All our events listed above were wonderfully positive and supportive,” says Passler.