Nearly 200 10th-grade girls from 11 school districts, including Lyons Central School District, gathered last week for the 2nd annual Empower Me Conference hosted by Wayne County Community School's Health and Wellness. The conference, built on the ARCH model (Advocacy, Resilience, Connection, Health), was designed to provide young women with essential tools to navigate the unique challenges of high school and beyond.
This year's conference was motivated by data from the 2023 EYS survey, which highlighted a concerning increase in mental health challenges among 10th-grade girls, with issues such as depression, eating disorders, and self-injury among the leading concerns. Empower Me addresses these needs by creating a positive, supportive environment that builds self-confidence, strengthens resilience, and teaches effective self-regulation skills.
The overarching goal of the event was to equip students with practical strategies that help them feel supported, informed, and empowered to make positive choices in their lives.
Kalani Davis, a 10th-grade student from Lyons Central School District, expressed her gratitude for the experience: "All the important things I took away from this field trip made me more confident and helped me inform other girls and support them if they ever need it."
Initiatives like the Empower Me Conference are one way LCSD provides students with the resources and confidence they need to navigate high school successfully. The district is committed to fostering a positive environment where young women feel empowered to lead, advocate, and make meaningful contributions to their school community and beyond.
