Lunch is served Representatives of Girl's Talk / Teen Voices were out last Saturday at the annual craft fair held at the Kingfield Elementary School. This was the first year that they put on the fundraising lunch to benefit their organization. Pictured (left to right) are members Emma Houston, Lilly Taylor, Taylor Jordan and Britney Rundlett were there to offer a helping hand. (David Hart photo) MSAD #58 — Girls Talk & Teen Voices Mentoring Partnership programs are underway in MSAD #58. In Kingfield, these programs are beginning their 8th year. Girls and teens at Phillips Elementary School participate in the programs at Strong Elementary School now in it's 5th year and Stratton Elementary School is beginning it's second year of programs.

The programs began at Kingfield Elementary School in partnership with the University of Maine at Farmington. The early success in Kingfield led to programs expanding at each of the elementary schools in MSAD #58. UMF received national recognition for this unique partnership program in 2003. Girls Talk & Teen Voices pairs girls and teens grades 5 to 8 in Kingfield, Strong, Phillips and Stratton with female mentors who are either student leaders at UMF or members of each of the local communities.

Girls Talk & Teen Voices are humanities-based reading and discussion programs. They are designed to use discussions based on humanities themes from a variety of literary genres that relate to the participant's lives. The mentoring relationships provide role models for girls and teens and develop into friendships that support the positive development of the participants' aspirations, self-esteem, decision-making skills and emphasize personal responsibility. In addition, the program is designed to expand the girls' and teens' exposure to cultural experiences and issues that will help them develop as future leaders and become active and long-term participants in service to their communities.

Programs are currently conducting fundraising activities for each school's programs.

At Strong Elementary School Girls Talk & Teen Voices participants, staffed tables at the craft fair, sponsored a cookie walk, sold craft items and conducted a raffle. In mid-December, the program will offer it's ever popular Kids Night Out program.

In Stratton, the newest school to offer programs, girls, teens and mentors will staff tables at the craft fair held at Stratton School selling food and craft items.

In Kingfield, participants made aprons, lap quilts that will be for sale and girls, teens and mentors will staff the café and concessions at the upcoming craft fair.

All programs continue to receive financial gifts from local businesses such as Tranten's Market and Camden National Bank, grants, Sugarloaf Regional Charitable Trust, school and community organizations. Financial support also comes from the University of Maine at Farmington and MSAD #58.

For more information about these programs contact Kingfield Program Directors Sandy Schneipp and Deby Johnson, Strong Program Directors Shelby Newell and Amy Johnson, Stratton Program Directors Pearl Butler and Jane Wilkinson or program co-founder and Associate Director of the Center for Student Involvement at UMF, Kirsten Swan.