Middle School Girls build Confidence and Connection with Otterbein Girls Club Volunteers

By Drakko Harper ’26

If you ask any young person what events have shaped their future, they are likely to point to a moment from middle school or high school. These years can be deeply awkward and confusing, made harder by being surrounded by peers facing the same challenges.

During that time, having even one non-judgmental friend to lean on can make a lasting difference. That kind of friendship is what girls at Walnut Springs Middle School and student volunteers from Otterbein University build each week during Girls Club. 

The program began in 2011 and continues today, thanks to the dedication of student volunteers such as Sydney Harris, a sophomore nursing major.

“While I became part of the leadership in this program much later, the goal remains the same as we want to help middle school girls learn leadership skills that they will be able to use throughout their entire lives, helping them navigate issues with the classroom, bullying, stereotyping, and self-esteem,” Harris said.

Each week, volunteers and students take part in activities shaped by feedback from both groups. Team-building exercises, crafts, games, and guided discussions are designed to help participants develop confidence and practical skills.

“By the end of the program, we want strong and confident girls, those who are not afraid to step out and show out, those who are not afraid to stand up for themselves or others or what they believe in,” Harris said. “The girls develop self-esteem, leadership, and teamwork skills that they can take with them.”

Beyond planned activities, the Girls Club also serves as a safe space where students can share their thoughts and feelings with mentors who are closer to them in age. That environment of openness and honesty often leads to meaningful conversations.

“During our last day in the fall, we had the girls talk about what a leader is, and in doing so. We found that a majority of the girls in this group were older siblings in some capacity,” Harris said. “This led to a very powerful conversation about pressures of being an older sibling.”

Student volunteers come from diverse backgrounds, each offering new perspectives and ways to connect with students. The program does not require specific skills or prior mentoring experience. Instead, organizers simply look for those who are open and willing to grow.

“We will take you as you are and use those skills to help you develop into who you can be,” Harris said. “So, we invite anyone and everyone as long as they are willing to participate. You get out of it what you put into it.”

While the program’s focus is on middle school students, it can also have a transformative impact on volunteers. “They can see themselves while they mentor these girls to help them learn in ways they wish they had in middle school and possibly even have a bit of healing for their inner child,” Harris said. 

The program is looking forward to continuing to inspire girls to see themselves as capable leaders who can advocate for themselves and others. 

“I hope that this encourages them that they are more than what the world says they are,” Harris said. “With our current state of the world, it can feel like there is nothing you can do or say that matters. We want them to be empowered and to know that no matter what the space you are in, you can make a difference.”

Girls Club meets weekly on Fridays at Walnut Springs Middle School in Westerville. Students interested in volunteering can contact Sydney Harris at sharris@otterbein.edu.