G.I.R.L.S. Day Builds Community On & Off Campus

2/27/2024

G.I.R.L.S. Day returned to Chatham Hall once more with the goal of building and promoting community, both on and off campus.

On Feb. 26, students and faculty forgoed their normal Monday schedules to engage in several community building activities, including a self-defense workshop hosted by C.O.B.R.A. based out of Lynchburg, Va. Students were empowered with hands-on techniques to better their situational awareness and gain the basic means to protect themselves, if needed.

In workshops, the ninth graders focused on the concept of community at Chatham Hall and how they can best support it as they move into their second year through various activities such as a communication game. Sophomores participated in a session exploring leadership, how it is defined, and how they want to embody those values as they prepare for junior year. Both classes also engaged in some exercises in reimagining campus spaces, including cleaning up the Fitness Trail and organizing communal areas.

The junior and senior classes ventured off campus to do some good in the Chatham and Danville communities through volunteering with various organizations. A group of seniors continued the on-going work with Chatham Elementary School while the rest of the class split up between processing food for God’s Storehouse and creating disaster relief buckets for God’s Pit Crew. The juniors received a special message from Chatham Mayor Alisa Davis before dividing up to work with two churches, the fire department, and the town manager on a beautification project.

“It was really strange how much fun it was because you could see the trash disappear off the sides of the street and it was actual evidence of the good you were doing for the community and nature,” said Beverly Kucera ‘25 who ventured into town for trash clean up.

Students also had the chance to introduce a topic of interest to the campus community. Several students shared food while one group led a bird feeder making activity. The day ended with an activity that showed appreciation for one another. Each student decorated a medallion for a peer, recognizing the values and strengths they bring to our community.

You can find pictures from G.I.R.L.S. Day on the School’s SmugMug.

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