An International Summit
120 girls from 5 schools in 4 countries attend Montrose School's first leadership conference.
On November 6-8, 2015, Montrose hosted the Girls Aspire Leadership Summit (GALS), a three-day leadership conference for upper school students and administrators from sister schools around the globe. The unique gathering brought together like-minded girls and women of faith, character and vision to collaborate, learn from one another and make new friends.
Attendees from Montrose’s Opus Dei sister schools in Philippines, Toronto, El Salvador, Kenya and Virginia chatted with Montrose students and administrators over a casual pizza dinner as the leadership summit opened. Senior Molly Cahill '16 introduced keynote speaker Helen Drinan, President of Simmons College and a leading authority on girls’ education and women’s leadership. Ms. Drinan told the girls that the world needs more women leaders, and exhorted them to dream big while pushing themselves to grow in self-confidence, competence and humility.
Montrose upper school students led interactive sessions throughout the day Saturday on leadership in student government, service, athletics, school newspaper, speech and academics. Attendees from Montrose and the sister schools engaged in lively discussions about how to inspire teammates, keep classmates engaged in school life, and use their influence to serve the greater good. Girls shared ideas about what a good leader must do, making observations such as "Good leaders are responsible, sincere, selfless, dedicated and strong," and "By serving others, you are being a leader. Service gives you the opportunity to step outside of yourself."
Meanwhile, Montrose teachers and administrators led sessions for administrators from the other schools. Head of School Dr. Karen Bohlin spoke on “Empowering Girls to Lead,” discussing how schools like Montrose and her sister schools can teach girls to be skilled, authentic leaders with real substance. Others shared professional expertise on curricular improvements, professional development, and Montrose’s signature programs such as the Capstone and the LifePortraits speaker series.
During breaks and mealtimes, groups of girls from different schools sat mixed together at the cafeteria tables, eagerly getting to know new friends and exclaiming over common interests in sports, music and activities. Many of the girls participated in a “World Cup” of four soccer teams organized by Athletic Director Jodi Blackburn, while the other GALS participants cheered the teams on.
By the final day of the conference, friendships were well established. They cheered each other throughout Sunday morning’s arts performances, with girls from different schools sharing their talents. The Montrose Treblemakers opened with two beautiful melodies. Students from Woodrose School in the Philippines performed an original dance, followed by a Q&A complete with prizes for the crowd. Students from Colegio La Floresta in El Salvador shared a video with highlights of their country. A student from Hawthorn School in Canada sang an energetic rap song in French. As the performances ended, an impromptu chorus of 120 international voices lifted in song to bring this exceptional experience to a close.
“Watching these girls collaborating and enjoying each others’ company was like watching a group of longtime friends at a reunion weekend,” Dr. Bohlin observed. “They walked away with a sense that they are all part of something inspired and larger than themselves.”
An independent school for girls in grades 6-12
Inspired by the teachings of the Catholic Church
Inspired by the teachings of the Catholic Church
