The gentlemen of Lawton High School have their own club and now the ladies have theirs.
The Ladies of Lawton High was formed the second semester after a student library intern and Principal Travis Pool mentioned separately to media specialist Amanda Benke that such a club was needed. Benke said she took that as a sign and she and activities director Whitney Thompson agreed to sponsor the club, which held its first meeting in February. About 40 female students have attended each session, which meets for 30 minutes during second hour on the second Tuesday of the month.
The purpose of the club is to mirror Gentlemen of LHS, Benke said.
“We are hoping to empower young women in the building,” Benke said of the group, which offers a safe environment for girls to talk about becoming young women. The group meets in the library, where patrons are limited during the meeting time.
Four women at Lawton High, ranging in age from their 20s to their 50s, lead the sessions. Benke said participants suggest meeting topics, including what it means to be a young lady in today’s society, and about how others perceive you based on the way you dress.
Thompson said the facilitators were initially surprised at the high turnout.
“This is something they don’t even know they need. There are so many ladies in the building who can offer something to these girls,” Thompson said, adding that they get different perspectives from the different generations.
She said some participants are being raised by single fathers and need someone to talk to.
“We get them talking to each other. We want to offer that support to them. We hope this grows into a safe space for girls” to discuss sensitive topics, Thompson said.
A recent session, led by Becky Morales, American Sign Language interpreter at LHS, and Hallie Horton, science and math teacher, focused on how people have a choice when going through difficult situations. Morales talked about how pearls are formed when an irritant enters their shell, telling students they have a choice about how to respond, including responding with patience and wisdom.
“They (difficult situations) make us stronger, wiser and more beautiful. It’s a process. Our growth takes time. It’s your choice to let it continue to irritate you or let it change you. Hard times are there to make you beautiful,” Morales said.
Horton handed out pearl bracelets to illustrate the point and to help students remember the lesson.
The students themselves seem enthused about the new club.
Haile Perry said she was glad to finally have a ladies-only club. “We don’t always have someone to talk to at home,” she said. “The club has helped me speak up for myself. The club is definitely needed.”
Katilyn Wheaton said she is new to Lawton High and wants to make some new friends she can talk to. “It has helped me get the perspective of other women. I am not going through life alone. I can talk to some other people,” she said.
Raegan Marburger said the club has helped her show people who she really is.
“The club has lived up to what I thought it would be,” Kennedy Baltzly said. “It has helped me formulate myself more responsibly.” She said she is making deep connections with other women and hopes the club will flourish.
The students said they look forward to the club continuing next year and have some ideas for session topics and activities, including a dress-up day.