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Talking with GirlTalk
Club focuses on transition from Middle to Upper school
By Zoya Haq | JADE Editor
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Some days in the Middle School hallways laughs are louder, whispers are more confessional and conversations are more collaborative. Often, those are GirlTalk days: conference periods when Upper School students connect with eighth grade girls in leadership development and mentorship.
GirlTalk is a national program whose Hockaday chapter was founded in 2008. Since then, the chapter has expanded outside of the school, collaborating with Dallas-area public schools to broaden its impact.
This year, changes in leadership impacted GirlTalk’s programming, but club members persevered through setbacks.
of just being like, you can ask whatever questions you want to the high school students and good luck answering them.”
Club members said they have enjoyed getting involved with GirlTalk’s programs again this semester.
“My favorite part of Girl Talk is honestly just being back in Middle School and hearing all about eighth grade, because I feel like it’s very nostalgic for us,” senior volunteer Millie Trumpower said. “I know my transition to high school was hard at times, so I’m glad we get to help them through it.”
— Annie Hurley ’23
“We’ve had some difficulties getting started up because of the musical and other school-wide things, so we didn’t have our first meeting until a few weeks ago,” President Annie Hurley said. “I’ve been trying to work on creating a curriculum for us to discuss with the girls so that we have a structured plan, instead
GirlTalk’s main goal is to remind incoming freshmen that, no matter how overwhelming things may feel, everything works out and high school is a time for personal growth and reflection.
“The message that we’re trying to push,” Hurley said, “is that, while high school is not going be perfect, everything is ultimately going to be OK.”