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Click here to see our 2009 recipient
Click here to see our 2008 recipient
Click here to see our 2007 recipient
Girl Talk is fortunate to have thousands of dedicated high school Leaders around the country who are making a difference in the lives of thousands of middle school girls every day. The rapid growth and success of Girl Talk can directly be attributed to these amazing young women. To honor these young women, Girl Talk has created the National Girl Talk Leader of the Year Award, given in honor of our Founding Sponsor, the Bell Family Foundation. This award is given each spring to the Girl Talk Leader who best exemplifies the mission and values of Girl Talk and its Founder, Haley Kilpatrick. To nominate yourself or another Girl Talk Leader to be this year’s National Girl Talk Leader of the Year, please fill out the Nomination Form and mail the complete application to us by March 15th.
This year’s recipients of the National Girl Talk Leader of the Year Award are
Ariel Henley & Kerry Grogin
Ariel Henley
"I was inspired to start a Girl Talk Chapter after seeing all of the tragedy at my school. There were girls getting pregnant, girls in clinics for eating disorders, girls addicted to drugs or alcohol and even one girl who committed suicide, because of her personal body image. Growing up with Crouzon Syndrome, a rare, life threatening disease where the bones in the head don't grow, I was well aware of the struggles and cruelty kids at the middle and high school level displayed. I knew what these girls were going through, but it still upset me and I felt helpless. These were girls I knew, girls I had been friends with. I knew I had to be different, and not let them bring me down.
Through starting and leading a Girl Talk Chapter, I have grown as a person and truly become a better person. I am much wiser, independent and have developed leadership skills. Throughout this experience, I have learned that if you want something to change, YOU have to do it. If you wait around for things just to become different over night, you’re wasting time. Change starts with one person, and I have realized that person can be me.
I now know that anything is possible, and Girl Talk has shown me that. I always thought I wanted to be a lawyer, but after becoming a Girl Talk Leader, I have discovered that my passion is working with students in middle school. I am now planning to go to school to become an 8th grade middle school English and history teacher. I plan to start more Chapters of Girl Talk while I am away at school, and even when I begin working as a teacher. Girl Talk has changed my life, and I want to help so that it changes other girls’ lives as well. "
Ariel in action
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Kerry Grogin
"At the end of my sophomore year in high-school, I started drifting away from good friends and good decisions. Instead of saying "No" to peer-pressure, I gave into it. By the end of my junior year, I was on the verge of being kicked out of my high school. During the summer, I did some serious soul-searching and found myself. I decided to devote my senior year to a project that helped young girls avoid peer-pressure and bad-decision making. After a couple of weeks of researching different organizations, I found Girl Talk and saw that it was exactly what I was looking for! I contacted different administrators in my school and proposed my ideas. After several meetings during the summer, my Academic Dean and Non-Academic Administrator agreed to incorporate Girl Talk into Westminster. Over the next two months, I diligently prepared for the coming school year.Although some students and teachers were unsure if my "change" was genuine, I have proved to them and to myself that people can change and make a difference. The Westminster Academy Chapter includes all 112 middle school girls and 35 high school Leaders. Over the course of the school year, I have planned and participated in several community service projects. In October, I helped plan The Walk for Life 2008, a fundraiser and walk-a-thon aimed at preventing abortions and promoting life. In November of 2008, I found a wonderful organization Called Broward Children's Center, a home for mentally and physically challenged children and teenagers. Since November, our Girl Talk Leaders and I have volunteered on a weekly basis at the center, playing and working with the kids. In December, I organized a gift drive for the Children's Center. We collected several boxes of toys and games. Some of the Girl Talk Girls and I went to the Children's Center and handed out the gifts. We spent hours playing with the kids and their new toys! In April, my Advisors, several Girl Talk Leaders and I planned a special slumber party for all the middle school girls. It was a fun-filled night with dancing and games.
Girl Talk has changed my life in so many ways. It has been a great outlet for me and I have every intention of working with Girl Talk in the years to come. I told myself when I started my Chapter, if I could help one girl avoid the mistakes I made when I was younger, everything I went through would be worth it. My dreams have come true this year and I am so thankful for the continued encouragement and opportunities Girl Talk has provided me with."