District spokeswoman Traci Hale said an effort by members of Oakwood Girl Scout Troop 32317 has created a new mascot designed to bring some equality to the sports scene in the school district. Now there is a “Jill” to represent the ladies in sports to accompany the “Lumberjack.”
Hale said the new mascot was created by the troop in order to bring a female mascot to represent the girls’ sports teams at Oakwood schools.
“The members earned the Bronze Award implementing a detailed plan to bring a female mascot to represent the girls’ sports teams at Oakwood Schools,” Hale said. “From start to finish, the process was led by the girls, including making a video about equality for female athletes, busting stereotypes, and raising money for the new mascot through community donations and fundraisers.”
Members of Girl Scout Troop 32317 who worked toward this goal included: Cecilia Montes de Oca, Anna Newman, Alison Rolling, Lena Gaskin, Sabrina Sliger, Brigid Newman, Natalia Rubin-Alvarez, Ashlyn Steinbrink, Clare Newman and Anna Eizenga
Jill made her debut Aug. 23 at the first home football game of the season.
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Another project, started by four Oakwood High School students called Femme Aid Collaborative, is a local charity started that has raised nearly $1,600 to provide women in the Miami Valley area with feminine hygiene products who cannot afford them.
Students Ryann Mescher, Dana Clark, Zoe Waller and Claire Parker started the group after seeing a need in the community to provide feminine hygiene products to those who cannot afford those items, according to Hale.
The group has hosted a number of different activities including collecting donations during the game, running car washes and receiving money from the high school staff jeans days.
The nearly $1,600 will provide more than 11,000 pieces of product that will be distributed in the Miami Valley. Funds were received last week to help with the project.
“The group has collected and distributed 300,000 period pieces to local charities in the community,” Hale said. “The money presented will go to purchase products for September and October distributions.”
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