Stories
Jen and Necie Team up in YWLP
Jen Leyton (above, right) and Necie Harris’ friendship began in the fall of 2007 when they both were a part of the Young Women Leaders Program at Burley Middle School. Jen, a graduate student at the Curry School of Education, and Necie, a seventh grader, hit it off immediately. “We were friends from the start,” Necie said, “because we had so much in common! We both loved sports, scary movies, and trying new things.” They spent the first several months hanging out after school and on weekends. They liked going to UVa basketball games, talking/texting, and listening to Necie’s music (which soon became Jen’s music).
The Big and Little Sister pair continued into Necie’s 8th grade year when she transferred schools, and grew closer as they started meeting each other’s friends and family.
“That seemed to be an important step for us,” Jen said. “Necie’s family sort of took me in. They were so warm and welcoming! Pretty soon I felt like I had another set of grandparents, aunts, and cousins here in Charlottesville.”
This year, the pair will continue together into the first year of the Young Women Leaders Program’s 9th Grade Club at Charlottesville High School, where Jen plans to support Necie in her transition to high school. “In the past two years, I’ve seen Necie’s grades, decision making and self-confidence improve. I’m excited for her to establish herself in high school and continue to prepare for a bright future.”
An Intern Success Story
Women's Center Distinguished Alumna, Chris Gustafson (right), with Carolyn Sherry. Ms. Sherry worked for a number of summers for Ms. Gustafson as an intern in her Phoenix, AZ office, and was offered a fulltime job upon graduation in 2008.