Alum Kelsey sent us a graduation photo and the nicest thank you note:

What makes life's successes so great is when you have a wonderful group of people supporting you along the way.  I would like to truly thank you, your team, and everyone involved for your support personally as a girl growing into a young woman and as a student.  This past December I graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a degree in Business Administration.  The beauty of this story is that I had people like you (Girls Inc.) that have been empowering me to be STRONG, SMART & BOLD since the age of seven.  Thank you Girls Inc. for your contribution to my life that not only impacted me while I was a member, but also now and in the future.  Thank you Girls Inc. for all you do for young girls all over the world.  We appreciate you!

Love,

Kelsey D. Wright

During the summer I had such a great time with all the other girls at Girls Inc. We attended many field trips, and we enjoyed our time there. I got the opportunity to go to the Omaha Doorly Zoo, the ice skate arena, golfing, and the swimming lessons at Spring Lake pool. Out of all of them my most favorite trip was to the Spring Lake pool. Even though, going into the pool, I already knew how to swim I still learned a lot during the lessons. I even overcame my biggest fear of heights, by going off the high dive! I got to spend the whole morning in the pool, and nothing could have been better than that!

I loved going ice skating as a little girl, and going back to the ice arena really made me feel like a kid again. Even though I fell once or twice and I was freezing, I still had a great time! Even the younger girls, who were afraid of falling had fun. It was a fun experience for me and all the girls of Girls Inc.               

Every kid should go to the Omaha Doorly Zoo at least once in their childhood. And I am glad that the younger girls got to go. My favorite part of the trip was going into the jungle. We saw a bunch of animals one wouldn’t normally see every day. The aquarium was my next favorite part of the zoo. I love going to see the penguins, and the jellyfishes. - Gabbi

I felt like I was in a big kaleidescope. - Tanajah

I liked the Luminaria because of the way the colors changed our clothes...it was very fun and inspiring.  The lights were beautiful and mostly bright.  My favorite color was the purple and green one.  It was amazing to sit down and look up and see the pretty colors.  During the walk, I noticed that some were kind of dard and that was cool. - Ashli

We were all amazed at the middle room because it was a mixture of all the colors.  I think the really cool thing was that it was a big balloon and we had to shut the door really fast so all the air doesn't come out! - Samantha

I felt like I was in the brightest star ever. It shined so bright!  It was one of the prettiest things I'd ever seen...To me it was kind of like a starship. - DaNya

Thanks to Vic Gutman & Associates for providing this cool field trip for the girls.

"I appreciated the opportunity of being able to attend the annual Humanitarian dinner.  It was great listening to the motivational speakers and their ideas.  Marlee Matlin was one of my favorite speakers.  I love how she doesn't let her disbaility get in the way of achieving her goals and adventures.  I thought it was an honor to be able to go to the dinner.  The food was great, the speakers were fantastic, and I would like to say thank you so much for letting Girls Inc. members experience something inspirational." - Yadira

"When I left the Humanitarian dinner I felt special and strong." - Leslie

"The food was extraordinary, the speakers were grand, and the videos were very informative.  Thank you also for showing us we can live in a world of peace and joy..." - Victoria

"One of your speakers was a deaf girl and she taught us how to say "courage plus dreams = success." - Chanecia

"I am glad I was one of the chosen ones to attend this event." - Brianna

"I liked Marlee Matlin and Henry Winkler's speeches.  Also it was cool that the weather man gave us the forcast for the eventing.  Futhermore, I loved the food and the dessert.  The chicken ws fantastic!  There were fancy decorations on the table with all the proper utensils.  Most of all I really enjoyed the speakers and watching people receive medals." - Nadeja

Yes, it seemed unreal to be up at the podium at the same time as the First Lady. Its a dream that I never thought would come true.  When I was able to hug her in front of the large audience it made me feel important, and encouraged me to continue on my path to success because performing well in school and staying active in my community is what helped allow me to be able to be on the stage with her.While I was on stage I realized that I became known as a positive role model not only at my prospective college, but also for the state of Nebraska. Just like the First Lady said, "We have to help develop our children to become the person that they want to be every day". Living out this quote I will continue to be active in my community and encourage the young girls to follow their dreams and inspire them to be anything that they want. It was a dream come true and the BEST birthday present ever, and most of all a memory I will always cherish and a wish I can cross off my bucket list. Thank you so much for the wonderful opportunity! You have no clue how much that meant to me to have the privilege. Girls Inc is AMAZING, and through finals week I will continue to live out my mission of being STRONG, SMART, AND BOLD. -

Girls Inc. alum Rhaniece Choice

Thanks to Sensations Hair Salon, DIVAS R US (Lavern Crump), and Compassion in Action (Teela A. Mickles) 8 teenage girls, including Girls Inc. members, received a day of pampering, refreshments, and free gifts to help them feel special and prepared to go back to school.  The collaboration was an effort to reach out and remind youth that they are "valued, special, and important to the community."  The girls received hair styles (stylists:  Neya Richards and Netta McDavid), a pair of free shoes from Divas R US, a t-shirt, pizza and soda.

The girls are special and so are the members of our community who recognize that!  Thank you for the Back-to-School celebration.

Here Girls Inc. member Marquisha shares the results of her hair styling:

It's the season for graduations - kindergarten to college.  Girls Inc. celebrates more than our fair share of graduations and we love all of the graduation hoopla.

Today, let's make some noise for Beverly who graduated from Central High School.  Here she is with her family and some of her (proud!!!) Girls Inc. family - Ms. Nancy, Ms. Crystal, Yadira, and Ms. Janae.  Next steps for Beverly?  She's going to UNL on a Buffett Scholarship.  Girls Inc. will be right there with her for financial support, encouragement, and advice until her next big graduation. 

Because of her outstanding play during the last season of basketball, Girls Inc. member LaShawn Sweet was selected to play in the 9th Annual Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands/Nebraska Army National Guard 5th Grade Girls All-Star Basketball Game.  The game will be held on April 8th at Benson High School.  You go, LaShawn!

United Way of the Midlands hosted an essay contest in honor of Martin Luther King Day.  In 500 words or less, students described their vision for our community.  Essays were submitted by students in elementary, middle and high schools from across the community. First, Second and Third place winners were recognized at the news conference; authors of the first place essays in each grade category received a $75 award, $50 for second place and $25 for third.

Girls Inc. member Denai Fraction, a senior at Central High School, wrote the first place essay for high school students.

Here is her essay:

It’s hard to imagine how my life would be if it wasn’t for the wonderful works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Would I still be waking up, getting ready for school, and stepping onto a crowded bus with angry faces staring at me reminding me of my unwanted presence? Would I spot the perfect seat near the front and next to a window that would send a smooth cool breeze across my face, relieving me from the stuffy air, only to remember my skin color and push forward towards the even more crowed back of the bus? Would I then arrive at school, parched from the ride, only to find the longest line at the “colored” drinking fountain and impatiently glance over at the “white” fountain, it’s perfectly polished porcelain shining bright tempting me to sneak a sip?

I am so thankful for Dr. King’s lifelong dedication to helping change the world through his fight to establish justice for everyone through equality in all aspects of life. Dr. King ultimately gave his life to help people like me, who he did not even know, live a life full of opportunities and acceptance where the color of their skin did not matter.

Although we are all legally to be treated fairly, that is not always the case in my community. People are stereotyped and treated differently because of their race. The streets of Omaha are filled with anger and violence and stained with the blood of those who have been the unfortunate products of the raging violence my community seems to not be able to shed. Dr. King stressed the importance of non violence and stayed true to his morals, never succumbing to physically harming others to get what he wanted or prove a point which is something I wish could happen in my community. I think of what he is saying from heaven looking down and seeing things how they are. He would be proud of some things, but sad about how some things haven’t changed, and in some situations have gotten worse.

My dream is to see everyone getting along. I want the gang rivalries to end, the senseless shootings to stop, and for Omaha to be known for the positive things instead of our high crime rate. I dream that one day everyone will have a home, food to eat, and to feel safe at night. I dream that one day we will have one hundred percent graduation rate that go on to college to do bigger and better things. I dream that Omaha will one day not be so divided and each area, North, East, South, and West could come together as one to create “Omaha the Great”. My dream is that we would appreciate the works of Dr. Martin Luther King as well as everyone who helped make this life we live possible by showing respect and gratefulness by living a life they would be proud of.

Denai Fraction

2011