A new female empowerment program at Kiski Area Intermediate School aims to help girls navigate middle school.
Ruling Our Experiences — ROX — debuted in January at the intermediate school. It is led by certified ROX facilitator and intermediate school guidance counselor Michele Claypool.
Program participant Mia Martin said she joined ROX because she realized she needed a voice.
“I’ve been struggling with slow metabolism all of my life. I’ve been called fat, big and overweight all my life,” Martin said. “Now I realize I don’t need other people’s opinions because as long as I think I’m beautiful, I’m beautiful.”
The ROX Institute is a nonprofit research and training facility headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Its large-scale research initiative focuses on key issues impacting girls with a mission of supporting their educational advancement and empowering them.
ROX programs are offered by more than 500 adult facilitators in 18 states. More than 20,000 girls in grades 5-12 are eligible to enroll.
Kiski’s program has 10 seventh-graders enrolled. ROX enrollment at Kiski is capped at 14 girls.
“This program is meant to work as a small group,” Claypool said.
Boys aren’t allowed to participate.
The 20 lesson, 20-week program covers female-related topics such as body image, healthy dating relationships, leadership, drama — dealing with mean girls — conflict and communication, communicating via social media, careers and the world of work, virtual self-defense, redefining beauty and using their voice.
“It’s been great. The girls have really come into themselves,” Claypool said. “They are having great dialogue and engaging in ROX work activities.”
Claypool said the program costs $75 per student but is offered free to Kiski Area Intermediate participants because of a grant from the FISA Foundation in Pittsburgh.
FISA is focused on social justice and provides grants to nonprofits in Southwestern Pennsylvania that improves the lives of girls, women and people with disabilities.
Participants receive ROX materials that include T-shirts, water bottles, glasses and other items.
ROX isn’t a part of the Kiski Area curriculum. The girls aren’t graded but will receive a certificate for completing the course.
Seventh-grader Lila Welshans said she thought the course would just be about talking at first, but she said she’s learning new topics.
“Self-defense was one of my favorites,” Welshans said. “I want to be able to know that when I go out I can be safe without somebody having to be there with me.”
Kiski grad founded the program
ROX founder and CEO Lisa Hinkelman is a Kiski Area High School alumnus.
“Junior high was hard for me 20-plus years ago. And I know that it is much more stressful and high stakes for girls today,” Hinkelman said. “I’m so proud the girls at Kiski now have the chance to find their voice, develop their strength and bolster their confidence by participating in ROX.
Hinkelman said as ROX programs have expanded nationwide, she’s proud to see the program implemented in the district.
“It feels especially poignant that my alma mater is represented among the districts that are committed to investing in the success of their female students,” Hinkelman said.
