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\u201cI can advocate for the girls in a way that the staff can\u2019t,\u201d Sophia said. \u201cI can help bring concerns up and provide staff with more understanding.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI feel like our role is to set a good example for the other girls,\u201d Alyssa said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One example of the members of the GLC sharing their concerns is when Katlyn was invited to a homecoming from a different school and a few of the girls came together to sign a petition requesting a homecoming for Broward. They shared the petition with staff, and it is currently in review. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe’re just trying to get things to help the girls see that Pace is an amazing place,\u201d Katlyn said. <\/p>\n\n\n
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Another example of the members advocating for change involved Alyssa bringing attention to the city bus hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA lot of us girls take the city bus. We needed to get out earlier in time for the bus. Certain girls would have to go home early only because they were making it home like six, seven o’clock at night because of where they were living at and all of that. Because I\u2019m in the GLC, I was able to bring this issue to the attention of staff faster. When the bus schedules change, Ms. Orlane looked at the schedule and made sure there was a balance for us. Instead of getting out at 2:50 pm, we now get out at 2:42 pm.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the girls have a complaint, they set up a meeting with the staff to discuss their concerns and have an open and honest discussion of how to address them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt’s being a voice for the other girls when talking to the staff,\u201d Olivia said. \u201cI try and take everyone’s well-being into account when we have the meetings. I think about how this affects the other students.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the girls dealt with cyberbullying and to combat this issue, the members of the GLC came together to create a bully box, where girls can anonymously share their stories of bullying and harassment. This has helped to uplift girls\u2019 voices and curb the issue of bullying dramatically. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the coming months, the GLC at Pace Broward will elect a president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. They will build a campaign and engage directly with the girls, encouraging them to vote for who they believe will serve each position best. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the girls prepare for their own campaigns, they discussed the importance of civic engagement within their community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt’s important to have representation,\u201d Sophia said. \u201cIt’s like a way to provide a set of rules within the community.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cVoting is a right,\u201d Alyssa said. \u201cEveryone has the right to be heard and their opinions are to be listened to.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat I envision for women in the future is that people don’t see them as weak and people won’t see women below men,\u201d Olivia said. \u201cWe should be seen as equals to them.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI want women to know that they can do anything that they put their mind to and they don’t have to stay hidden because a man or even another woman brings them down,\u201d Katlyn said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n