QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Summer girl, originally uploaded by shanti929.

“If you vote for me, it will be summer all year round.”
Summer Wheatley (Haylie Duff), NAPOLEON DYNAMITE

Don't we wish this were the truth? I wait for summer with baited breath through the leaf changes of fall, the chill of winter and the hope of spring. Most of us long for the hot days of summer as we count down to the final bell ring of the school year.


I hope that your summer is filled with the adventure that all Girls in the Hall deserve. What are you most looking forward to? A trip some where exciting? Being able to sleep until noon? No homework? Whatever it may be, we look forward to hearing about it. Personally, the gift that this summer gives me is time to reflect on the past months about what Girls in the Hall has grown (and is growing) to be and to write more on here about issues you all care about. I love that we have readers from all of over the world, and that we will continue to grow our awesome base of teens who get what we are about. I know you are all out there, and I am so thankful. Cheers to flip flops, friendship and the future!

WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?

138.365, originally uploaded by epicfailer.

Most of us have seen it. That teacher who always calls on the guy sitting next to you, even if you raise your hand before him. The boy who gets better shifts at work when he started a couple of months after you did. What is up with that? We all want to scream out that it is 2010!


Sadly, women still make an average 7% less than men in the same field of work. Why am I bringing this up on Girls in the Hall when most of us are years away from joining the working world? It seems like a minor issue compared to all us girls have to deal with in the challenges of the halls of high school. I'm raising this issue to all of you because it starts NOW. Here's an example to throw out there. Have you ever looked at your report card or sat in an algebra or geometry class, feeling like you were hopeless at math? In fact, statistics show that small children, regardless of gender, have virtually the same performance levels in math. However, as we go through school and the jokes about girls being bad at that specific subject are bantered around, girls' math scores generally drop compared to guys'. How's that for sabatoge? We are subtly told what we should and shouldn't be good at, and those terrible confines echo in our subconscious. So, Girls in the Hall, this issue really started when they put the pink bows on our heads as babies way back when.


Don't get me wrong, I adore wearing lip gloss, having painted toe nails and also hope to go to Lilith Fair this summer. I enjoy scouring thrift stores with my friends for that perfect vintage dress, and also being one of the few girls I know who will raise my voice in debates with guys about football. My favorite journeys are getting lost in novels with stars like Elizabeth Bennet and Bella Swan. Quite simply, I love being a girl, and all of the character traits that define what being a girl means to me. Some girl friends of mine hate sports, some love them. Some look forward to any chance to dress up, some would rather live in jeans. Some love science, some music. You get the the picture. Each of our unique and wonderful versions of being a girl make up a thread in the powerful fabric of womanhood.


How can we shine the lights of what our identity is within our gender, and also break this pattern? Too often, when we do acknowledge such unfair situations, we are labeled--shockingly by women, not just men--as (gasp) feminists. Most people don't know that there are a lot of degrees of feminism ranging from the radical to the passive. What pops in your brain when you hear the word "feminist"? Did words like "manhater" or worse automatically go off in your brain? Check out this interesting post on feminism.com about teens and feminism. Once again (surprise, surprise), society doesn't give teens the whole story. Most of us are not educated in any scope about feminism until we are in our college years, long after we have been thrown on the front lines of this battle in some way.The real truth is that most feminists want equality for women in compared to men while embracing our womanhood. One of my identities as a girl is indeed a feminist. When someone yells, "Feminist!" at me in a debate on this topic, I smile and say, "Thanks."


I know that one day it will happen. There will come a time when "throw like a girl" won't be an insult, we will have the milestone of a female president, and each girl can go to school and not worry that the classmate next to her is getting special treatment because he's a he. As we go from being girls in the hall to women on the sidewalks of the world, we will get us there.

THE FIRST JOB

americandream, originally uploaded by binkybink.

With the freedom of summer often comes the responsibility of the rite of passage called the ubiquitous summer job. As a teen, I worked at Hallmark (those collectors take their Christmas ornaments in July very seriously!), a smoothie store (for years, the only thing I could whip up in the kitchen was a frozen fruit concoction), and a stint as a nanny (don't even get me started on that one--I have pretty much blocked the experience).


While I joke about these gigs, they actually taught me a lot more than some of my classes ever did. Not to mention the great stories that I have from those experiences... There was the time that my HS best friend and I went to prom and then worked the morning shift at Hallmark together, deliriously giddy from lack of sleep with our hair in a disheveled semblance of the previous night's updo. When I pull those photos out they still send me into fits of laughter. But, I digress.


Often, it is hard for teens to find that first job. People see your age, or that you don't have working experience, and look the other way. We want to scream, "Look at me! Take me seriously!" I remember before I landed the Hallmark gig, I handed out two hundred resumes, shaking hands of countless managers who looked at my age and waved me out the door. Dry cleaners, restaurants, grocery stores--oh the frustration! When I did finally get the call to come in, I jumped up and down and screamed with joy. I finally was a working woman, and I often found salvation in my job each summer as I escaped the boredom of the seasonal heat to air conditioned purpose. The people that I met while at these jobs were an added bonus. At Hallmark, the football coach at school was a very serious ornament collector (shocking!) and scores of grandmothers came in as regulars and asked for my help to pick out just the right birthday cards for their relatives. I gotta say, I loved the heck outta that job.


In our research, Girls in the Hall came across this great site to help you get a jump on finding your own job to make memories. We Got a Job helps teens find jobs in their towns. Check 'em out and let us know where you end up.


Gotta a great summer job story? Comment on here, we want to hear it!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Of Dreams and Dances, originally uploaded by Heather - Infiniti Photography - MI Wedding Photog.

Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff.
-American Splendor

For most of us, high school is a time of extreme transition filled with rights of passage. Sweet sixteens, finally getting that long coveted driver's license, prom (or rebellion against it) and, finally, graduation are things we all experience. We anticipate the totem poles of American teenagehood, and then life hits fast forward and we find that we have eclipsed them.

I have a secret promise with myself that I started a long, long time ago. I'm not sure when I first made this pact, or where I picked the idea up from. Whenever I reach one of these milestones, I find a moment for myself and "make a memory." I first breathe in with my eyes closed, absorbing the smells and sounds of where I am. Then, I open them and take in the colors, objects and most importantly, the people surrounding me. I remember the smell of the sea air on a cruise when I was fourteen and had my first kiss, the noise of the drums at my first football game, the flowers on the corsage my date gave me for my senior prom, and the exact look on my parent's faces when I walked across the stage at graduation. I also have made memories of the hard times--my house becoming thimble sized as I drove away to move to another state my senior year, holding my grandmother's hand at fifteen for what I knew would be the last time at the end of her fight with brain cancer, and the tears staining my sister's face as she went through her first heartbreak.

These are some of the snapshots of my ordinary life that I have recorded in complex detail over the years. When the birthday presents are gone, the dance corsages have been thrown out, and the graduation money has been spent, these memories--and the people in them--will always be with me, to conjure up at a moment's notice. So, now you know my secret. When I write to all of you about my experiences, I start with closing my eyes and remembering all of the details I have stored in my brain's address book of memories. Each part of each experience floods back to me, and I feel like I am there, once again. As you have your own unique experiences for the ordinary moments that make life so incredible, I challenge you to pause, take it all in, and make your own memories.I think it is the best gift we could ever give ourselves, don't you?

STAND OUT & TAKE A STAND AGAINST THE DROP OUT CRISIS

{ Backing to school is much cooler with a new pair of convies ! ,,, originally uploaded by B a r ش a.

As most of us go through high school, we are told to keep our eyes on the prize--we focus on the doors we'll open to the future when we exit the door of our high school for that final time with diplomas in hand. What if your future was so uncertain that you didn't know how you were going to get through the next day, week, month or year of high school?


Did you know that almost one in three teens doesn't graduate from high school in the US? Yeah, we were shocked and saddened to hear that too.


Finally, someone is giving a voice to those who can really help solve the problem because they get it--teens. America's Promise Alliance has partnered with AT&T to create MY IDEA, a program that gives grants to teens with the vision and drive to help end this crisis. Teens who have an idea on how to help solve the problem and want to be a leader in their community in this fight should apply.


On a national level, 20-25 teens from anywhere in the country will be awarded grants ranging from $10-20,000. Teens who live in areas where the drop out rates are skyrocketing like Chicago, Houston, Indianapolis, Jackson, Louisville, Nashville, New York, New Orleans, Oakland and Washington, D.C, will be eligible for local grants of $500-$1500 to focus on city based projects. So, regardless of where you are in the country, YOU have the power to fill out the application and have your ideas heard!


So, what are you waiting for???? Click here to learn more about the program and apply to stand out and stand against the drop out crisis. If you don't have an idea yet, that's ok! Check out their links on the site to create one. Get creative--think about what would most help you if you needed a boost to get through high school. A mentor who you could meet with regularly to help keep things in check? A study center for free tutoring? A program where after school employers work with teens to make sure they have enough time for school? More school supplies? The possibilities are endless, and we know that our Girls in the Hall will come up with some great ideas. If you need a sounding board for your idea or are unsure about whether or not to apply, let us know--we want to help you help your peers.The deadline is June 11th, so get movin'!


If you apply, we want to know! Reply to this post with a comment, or email us at girlsinthehallblog@gmail.com.

GIRLS' TOP TEN SUMMER SPARKS

this is us. we're the greatest., originally uploaded by confidence, comely..

Exams are almost over. That dreaded project is getting ready to be turned in. We are preparing to watch some of our close friends graduate, our perhaps become graduates ourselves. Summer is indeed around the corner. Spring scarfs give way to sunglasses of possibility. There could be trips... There could be new experiences...There could be love... I could go on (and on and on) about the potential for the season.


Of course, the flip side to this is the inevitable boredom that most of us will face at at least one point over the summer. There are only so many episodes of Judge Judy that we can watch before feeling like we are going completely and totally insane. Some girls have asked us for any ideas to combat this potential soul crushing boredom. Here's our top ten list of ideas to put a spark in your summer, ranging from good-for-ya to crazzzy (yes, with three Zs).  We hope you try 'em out!

GIRLS IN THE HALL 
TOP TEN SUMMER SPARKS:

BEST OF THE CIT-AY
What is your favorite food? Cake? Burgers? Find one you and your friends can agree on and go on a hunt for the best of your fave in your city. Don't stop until you find number one, it just may take you all summer.


MOVIE MANIA
Take turns each week sleeping over at each other's houses. Rotate back and forth all summer. At the first sleep over, have everyone put a couple of movie titles of their favorites in a pot. Pick them out one by one and add them to your Netflix cue in that order. Each girl must bring a snack that goes with her choice of movies the week that hers are shown.


ACT LIKE A KID AGAIN
Do you have a little brother or sister? If so, take them to the playground and swing on the swings, or crank up the sprinkler and chase them with the hose. If you don't have younger siblings, ask the neighbor who you babysit for if you can borrow their kids for an afternoon. They will be super grateful, and it gives you an excuse to act like you are ten again.

LOCAL TOURIST? SAY WHAT?
What is so special about where you live? Is your town home to the world's largest ball of yarn? Near a famous nature sanctuary? Are you close to a cheesy theme park? Odds are you haven't been to any of the places that make your city its charming self in quite sometime. Pretend to be a tourist for a day with your friends and hit up these places. Bring your cameras, but fanny packs need not apply.


BOOKS, BOOKS EVERYWHERE AND NOT THE TIME TO READ
What books have you always wanted to read, but never had the time to? Make a list and reward yourself with ice cream after you finish each one.


TRY SOMETHING NEW
Ever wanted to try out the guitar, write poetry or kick around a soccer ball? This is the summer to try out that secret interest that has been begging for a shot in your mind all school year. There is no time like the present. You may return to school in the fall with a newextracurricular.


RETRO-RIFIC
Scour the thrift stores in town with your friends. Whoever comes up with the ugliest outfit from the day's search gets a prize. Pictures in your outfits must go on Facebook!


FREEBIES
Check out what free things are going on in your community. Free outdoor concert? Bring a picnic and check it out. You may find out you like bluegrass or jazz after all. Besides, it costs NADA!


'ROUND THE WORLD
Open up a map (either in a book or on your computer), close your eyes and randomly point to a country. Experiment in the kitchen by making a meal from that nation for your family and friends. Just make sure to do the dishes so you don't get grounded.


GIVE IT UP
In all that free time, can you spare some to help out in your community? Spend time with a fellow teen who is need, save the earth or play checkers with a senior. You may just find that the people you meet while helping out will teach you things about yourself you never knew.

If you do any of the above, or have any ideas of your own to save summer from boredom, please share with us by leaving a comment!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

My.... || Passion, originally uploaded by Kiran Pilly.

"I know better not to be friends with boys with girlfriends."
-Meiko, BOYS WITH GIRLFRIENDS

The age old question... Can girls and guys really just be friends? I have gotten into many a debate about this. My answer is always, of course! It is entirely possible to have a close guy friend who you have never had feelings for who has never had feelings for you beyond the scope of platonic safety.


My oldest friend on the planet is a guy. We have been through a lot together--from being each other's plus ones at homecoming dances, countless trips to the diner in town, all the way to him helping me through my parent's divorce. Summed up, he's like a brother to me. We have watched each other grow up. Our friendship exists in a precious and beautiful simplicity where we can always count on each other.


As I was writing this, I pondered other examples of my successful friendships with the other gender. Surely I had to have dozens of examples of close friends over the years with guys to use as fodder in this posting. Ha. The joke was on me. I was able to think of a handful of guys in my "inner circle of trust" who I have had real friendships with--there's my friend who likes to wear different colored Converse All Stars, my friend who can practically recite the Academy Award winners of each year, my pal who who was the head of our Technology Club all four years of high school, and a few others.


Then, I thought of all of the examples of my friendships with guys that had gone horribly awry. There was Jake*, a former "best friend" who quasi broke my heart by not being my date to the Sadie Hawkins dance and then showed up with another girl (I am so not bitter)... Then, Andy* who changed our friendship by asking me out--we dated for a few months, it ended badly and now we don't speak... I told this guy named Dan* that I liked him and he rejected me in front of a huge crowd by my locker (and then came out of the closet a year later)... There's Josh*, who confessed that he had feelings for me but had a girlfriend at the time, so we stopped hanging out a lot and I missed him terribly. The truth is, I think I liked him too then, but knew I couldn't "go there." However, the thought of dating someone who knows you so well as a guy who was your friend first can make for the best relationships.


So, can guys and girls have a platonic relationship? My answer is still of course, but maybe it is much more rare than I originally thought. What do you think?


*Names have been changed to protect the innocent (or the guilty)

TALKING VIA TEXT

computers and kids, originally uploaded by foreversouls.

Over the weekend, The New York Times published this fascinating article about how technology is affecting the way kids and teens interact. Do you think that in the age of Facebook and unlimited text messages, we are forgetting how to talk to each other? Or, do you think that the inundation of availability is making us better communicators? That's the debate.

I was surprised when reading the article to learn that most teens send and get 50 texts or more a day in our country! To see how I compared, I logged on to check my phone bill and was even more shocked. Top this... At 2991 messages sent and received in the last month, I averaged 99 texts a day! Yikes.

We think that in this time, where we can reach and be reached at nearly any moment by the push of a button, the world has become a much more efficient place. Our parents always know they can reach us immediately. We can track down friends to ask about hanging out and know right away what the answer is. Homework questions get a quick response. Taking it even further, to save more time, we aren't even spelling words out--using shorthand and abbreviations at any chance we can.

In all of this effectiveness, are we forgetting to just "be"? It has been weeks since I called a friend just to say hi and talk. When I do take a few precious minutes away from being efficient to pick up the phone, my friends are shocked when they pick up--that is, if they are also able to take a couple of minutes to catch up in the midst of their busy lives.

Regardless of the better and worse reasons above, we are in a new world for this generation to figure out. Will we still be able to really communicate with each other and also use this technology to its full potential? IDK, it will take TOT to figure out. In the meantime, perhaps while we are texting or wall posting away, we should remind ourselves how nice it can be to hear the voice of that friend or family member and remember to pick up the phone. There is speed dial, after all...