Mission, Texas- On the morning of Friday, January 29, the sound decibel levels within the gymnasium at Veterans Memorial High School rivaled any teen concert. But the cheers were not for any single performer. The cheers from the audience were for the audience themselves.
Almost 1,700 junior high school girls gathered for the district’s first-ever, Girl Power Rally. The event had its roots in something much smaller; Science teacher at R. Cantu Jr. High School, Ronnie Mehis, asking a former student to speak to his current students. That grew into the district-wide event that brought together sixth, seventh, and eighth grade girls from R. Cantu Jr. High School (RCJH), Alton Memorial Jr. High School (AMJH), K. White Jr. High School (KWJH), and Mission Jr. High School (MJH).
The Girl Power Rally was designed to be a fun, uplifting, and motivational event for the junior high school girls of Mission CISD (Consolidated Independent School District). It was also designed to empower them to work toward their dreams and to challenge themselves to achieve the success that is within themselves.
The list of speakers grew beyond just that one, former student. The speakers included top females in the senior classes of Mission High School, Mission Collegiate High School, Veterans Memorial High School, as well as other district, community, and business leaders.
Total attendance, including students, speakers, and special guests was estimated to be close to 1,800.
Pictured are the principals of the four Mission CISD junior high schools when they were presented with spirit sticks created specifically for the Girl Power Rally. They are, left to right: Ada Castillo, MJH; Ana Lisa Flores, RCJH; Sylvia Garcia, AMJH; Brenda Betancourt, KWJH.
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