7th Graders Start a She’s the First Chapter in Iowa!

Campus Coordinators Monica & Casey first skyped the students at VanMeter to spark their interest in She's the First!

She’s the First*{Campus} started with several highly motivated college students who wanted to help change the world. After several successful college chapters have been in place, a group of students at Van Meter is changing the game. They are now the first non-college chapter to be established, and I have had the privilege of working with them from the beginning.

The mind behind all of this, Shannon Miller, was preceded by her reputation before I met her, from winning a Shorty Award for social media. Shannon was incredibly enthusiastic about starting a chapter with a group of 7^th grade girls she teaches, and I contacted her initially to help start this. At our first meeting, she assured me that these girls were something special, and they have already proven it.

Fellow Campus Coordinator Monica Townsend and I skyped with the girls before school one morning to hear their ideas for summer fundraising and help them choose a partner school from the STF directory. They have decided to sponsor a girl through the AfricAid Kisa Project with the hope that social media and technology will help them connect with the girl and share her story throughout their town in Van Meter, Iowa.

Within hours these girls were already well on their way to setting up fundraisers and giving talks to their school. I have no doubt that these girls will have great success with She’s the First, and already stand out as leaders for a new direction in STF chapters. Be sure to follow them on Twitter at @STF_vanmeter, on Facebook, and their brand-new blog: http://shesthefirstvanmeter.blogspot.com.

I’m proud to give you a little bit of the back story, but now you should read Shannon Miller’s point of view on her blog! Her students are not waiting.