West Lauderdale High
Inaugural WE Lead conference
hosts 30 high school women
at MSU
STARKVILLE, Miss.--The inaugural Women Empowered
Leadership Conference gave 30 high school participants a
new outlook on higher education, entrepreneurship, politics,
ing. Wooldridge is an officer on campus and plays three
health and a range of other issues this week [July 14-18] at
sports while maintaining an A average. Wooldridge said the
Mississippi State.
variety of guest speakers and activities throughout the week
The university's Shackouls Honors College hosted the young
demonstrated different leadership styles and helped the
women, all rising high school juniors and seniors represent-
young women at conference identify their own strengths and
ing the states of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.
personality profiles. Guests included MSU First Lady Rhonda
Keenum and Starkville First Lady Lindsey Wiseman, as well
Chris Snyder, honors college dean, said the conference was
as several MSU women faculty members and business lead-
the brainchild of MSU junior Jamie Aron of Jackson.
ers.
Aron said more than 240 nominations were made by high
Wooldridge said the week represented "one of the most pow-
school principals, but participants went through a competi-
erful conferences I have ever attended. I know I'll see
tive application process before being accepted. Students were
women's leadership in a completely different way than I did
selected from a wide array of high schools, with a ttaining di-
before."
versity a key objective.
Many of the participants agreed their favorite aspect was
Aron explained that she wants to encourage more women
meeting other young women from different areas and back-
leaders in the world.
grounds and becoming fast friends over the week.
"If I can work to change this on a community level, I hope it
will spread to the state level and eventually impact women at
a national level," Aron said. The week's purpose was to help
participants recognize leadership characteristics and how
they can become effective leaders who value listening and understanding. Facilitators also encouraged participants to consider career opportunities in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math) as well as humanities.
Mallory Wooldridge of West Lauderdale in Collinsville, MS
In Other News...Former WLHS tennis player Jami
Daugherty was selected as a member of the All-Star team
last summer. In addition, WLHS tennis coach Amy
Fairchild was chosen as coach of the South Team. Well
done, ladies! We are proud of you!
was selected as one of the 240 applicants. The rising junior
hopes to major in Dentistry in college and said the experience
at MSU Shackouls Honor College was challenging but reward-
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