GEMs Testimonials

Khloe
I am Khloe and I am a sixth grader at PS/MS 5. I value being a GEM. As a GEM I have the power to break the glass ceiling. For example, I can empower women to speak up for their rights. For instance, if I see something I say something, I am not a bystander! I interfere and help the best I can. I can speak up for others. I am also a leader as I am step captain and cheer captain. I have a strong educational outlook. I always do my homework everyday and wear my uniform and do my best. Another example I have a strong personality. When I do something I put my best into it. Recently I won a step competition and a dance competition too. In conclusion, these are my values of being a GEM.

Rashel
“My name is Rashel. I am a sixth grader at PS/MS 5 and I am proud to be a GEM. GEM stands for girls empowerment movement. For example, I appreciate being a GEM because I am a leader with a powerful voice I empower other women to break the silence. Furthermore, I also value being a GEM because we are empowered girls and we can change our community for the better. Finally I value being a GEM because we exhibit leadership values. For instance we help others in our school. This is why I value being a GEM.”

Ivanny
“My name is Ivanny. I am a sixth grader at PS/MS 5 and I am proud to be a GEM. There are a lot of values to be one. For example, I value being a GEM because I am an independent leader with a voice which shows other girls to break the silence. Furthermore I also value being a GEM because of how empowered we are. For example, we made a change in our community with one pep rally where we raised awareness about the importance of schools being a drug free zone. Lastly I value being a GEM because of the way I help others. For example, when a new student comes I would volunteer to show them around. This clearly shows the importance of being a GEM.”

Mia
“My experience as a GEM has been memorable. I can’t wait to continue this journey. One message I have for girls is that if boys can do it, we can too!”

Melany
“My experience in GEMS has been great so far. It has been a great experience so far to be able to be a part of such a wonderful group. I've learned that being a girl is no different than being a boy. So to other girls I would say that your capable of doing the same or even better than boys.”

Maryorie
“I feel great to a part of such an amazing team. I have learned to be who I am matter what and not to let anyone especially society tell me what I am SUPPOSED to be because I am a girl.”

Jayla
“I really enjoy being a Gem. Us women and girls are not in this world to only look pretty and clean, we are meant to stand tall, be brave and follow our own dreams.”

Mariam
“I love being a Gem. We are brave, confident and can do anything we want! “

Amerie
“I love that I get to know my fellow sisters and my teacher Ms. Wilkerson. To all the young girls out there be you, be unique, be whatever you want to be!”

Kiana
“My experience this year as a Gem has been great. It also has been very helpful for me. My team pushes me to be better. A message that I have for other girls is to stay strong.”

Madison
“This experience has been amazing. I am learning how to be brave and strong.”

Nicole
“This has been the best experience ever. Just believe in yourself and never give up.”

Ashley
“My experience of being a GEM is very enjoyable. I am becoming more social and making new friends.”

Brianna
“My experience has been unique. It’s very nice working together with other girls from my school. I learned that they are like me. It feels great to be part of an empowering, positive team.”

Jayling
“My experience as a gem so far has been wonderful and amazing. Working with other girls from my school to be leaders and make a positive impact in my community. My message for other girls would be who you are and to stay true to yourself no matter what.”

Jolie:
“Being a GEM is important to me because I can help the community. One benefit of being a GEM I get to help other students when they need help or they are struggling.”

Gianna:
“Being a GEM is important because it makes me feel important and I like to help people. Being a GEM allows me to help people in the school. A benefit of being a GEM is being able to meet new people.”

Ashley:
“Being a GEM means to me that you can have a chance to change the world and to help the community.”

Keycha:
“Being a GEM is important because you are a part of a team that can help things that need to be fixed in our community.”

Amya:
“Some benefits of being a GEM is doing some fun activities also doing caring things. For example, I get to help those in need in my community like homeless people. In addition, I get to improve the community by doing community service. Another benefit, I get to meet other role models from PS 179X, PS 369X, MS/HS 223X and PS 30X and many more. The last benefit is I get to be a leader and I want to help my community with whatever they need and I will improve it.”

Yarleni:
“Hi, my name is Yarleni. I am a GEM. Our goal is to help others. We are always trying to help other people who are in need. I have learned as a GEM that we are all in need because we are all one community. If we help one person, they might want to help someone else. As a GEM, I am more than willing to do my part to help others. If you treat yourself as someone important others will, too.”

Melanny:
“Hi, my name is Melanny. I am a GEM. Being a GEM is extremely important and rewarding. It has changed the way I think. I am valuable in and out of my community. As a GEM, we learn to earn everything we want and have and that is what makes us important. I never thought I would be doing Social Action Projects and going to drug rallies. But I now know that I have to part of my community in a big way if I want to see change. GEM is not only helping me become a better person – it is helping me help others, too.”

Jada:
“Hi, my name is Jada Oquendo. I am a GEM. Being a GEM is life changing. I travel to different schools to work with other girls and help my community. I am not only empowering myself but others to be the best version of ourselves. The biggest benefit of being a GEM is that I get to help other people. And knowing that by helping others, they are helping me. I cannot do what I am doing all by myself. No one can. I do it with my GEM sisters and teacher – we do it together!”

Aniya:
“Hi, my name is Aniya. I am a GEM. Being a Gem is giving me wonderful opportunities. I get to meet new GEM sisters and other people in and out of my community. I also get to become more involved in things that affect where I live. We have attended a drug rally and are always looking to help others. Being involved in the Social Action Project is the best part of being a GEM. We not only get to be ourselves, but we get to show people that being yourself is the best you can be.”

Abigail:
“Hi, my name is Abigail. I am a GEM. The importance of being a GEM is to save the world. GEM is changing my life by making me do better things. GEM also allows me to meet other GEMS and talk about life and how we can make ourselves better people. I also get new experiences. I have met older girls and have even attended a drug rally to make my community stronger. GEMS also get to know and express our feelings with our facilitator. We are all sisters.”

Bismarelys:
“My name is Bismarelys and I am a fifth grade student at P.S. 161. I would like to become a GEM because I want to show love to others and give back to my community. I want to make my school and family proud and make difference. I want to make my last year count and leave something special behind for other girls like me.”

Jerniya:
“My name is Jerniya and I am a fifth grade student at P.S. 161. I would like to be a GEM because I want to be a role model for other girls in my community. I want to build a relationship with sisterhood and I believe will be a great person for it. I am dependable, brave and confident. I know that my community has a need and I want to be part of it.”

Elianny:
“My name is Elianny and I am a fifth grade student at P.S. 161. I would like to become a GEM because I would like to contribute to my school community. I want to be an example to girls younger than me. I want to show them how to be kind and loving towards each other. I would like to go on this new journey and adventure to help others in my community.”

Helka:
“My name is Helka and I am a fifth grade student at P.S. 161. I want to become a GEM because I want to work as a team and help others. I want to give back to others and especially when it comes to the needy. I feel that working together as a team is really important in life. I want to visit more places in my community and make a difference.”

Gabriella:
“My name is Gabriella and I am a fifth grade student at P.S 161. I want to become a GEM because I would like to give back to my school. I want to help others who are in need. It would be an amazing experience for me to be part of this organization. I want to teach others that they will go through things in life but they will get through it. I want to help my school community and stop global warming.”

Nicole:
“My name is Nicole and I am a fifth grade student at P.S. 161. I want to become a GEM because I am a team player and determine person. I am very involved in my school community. I help tutor friends and family members when they need help. When it comes to school, I am always ready and prepared to learn. Being involved in my school community can be challenging and exciting. I really enjoy being part of activities and sports in my school because it has taught me how to be a team player and become responsible"

Sage:
“My name is Sage and I am a fifth grade student at P.S. 161. I want to become a GEM because I want to create a bond by showcasing my leadership skills. I can bring out the full potential of myself and everyone that follows. I am a person that gets along with others because I am kind and open hearted. I want to bring more bullying awareness and promote a healthy school environment to show empathy and understanding.”

Neida:
“My Name is Neida and I am a fifth grade student at P.S. 161. I want to become a GEM because I am a good role model who demonstrates confidence and leadership qualities. I am always positive, calm and confidence. I’m not afraid to be unique. I am a very proud of who I am and won’t pretend to be someone I’m not. I like to challenge myself and always willing to learn. I want to have an affect on people in a positive way and do better for others.”

Maritza:
“My name is Martiza and I am a fifth grade student at P.S. 161. I want to become a GEM because I want to help others. I want to help other students who are younger than me and be a positive role model. I have leadership qualities and I am very active in my school community with extracurricular. I want to show that girls can be role models and leaders in my community.”

Kadidia Sissoko, 8th:
GEM is a spectacular program that helps young ladies be themselves and grow into something that is just wonderful. I am pleased and honored to be in a group like this because we work to change perspectives on major issues affecting our communities. We did a drug-free rally in November. We wanted drugs and needles and anything else related to that to be out of our school surroundings. We wanted to make sure that children would not have to witness needles and drug use while walking to school. Children should not have to be scared and worried about their safety when seeing someone high. NO CHILD AND I MEAN NO CHILD DESERVES THAT AT ALL. These are just one of many projects GEM takes part in as we strive to make a difference.

Melanie Luciano, 8th Grade:

GEM also known as Girl Empowerment Movement is a great program that I happened to have the honor of being a part of last year when I was given the opportunity to be one of the first GEMS ever. I had so much Fun. I made lots of great new friends through this program and I was able to interact with GEMS outside of my school as well. GEM is a program that stands for something I truly believe in which is girl empowerment and by being a part of this program I am raising awareness for it.

Maimouna Sissoko, 7th Grade:

The GEM really helped me with my leadership because of how it showed me how to be helpful, Inspiring, have a positive attitude, and last but not least how to be a leader, not a follower.GEM was really like a sisterhood anytime I had a problem I would go to my other GEM members and they would give me advice and I really appreciate it.

Wendy Flores, 8th Grade:

Being in GEM last year was a really fun experience for me and it was a nice way to be able to contribute and to work with my peers/teammates to come up with new and fun ideas for the team or to our project…. I feel like I belong in GEM and I believe that me and my peers can all contribute and work well together to someday be able to change the world.

Yaslin:

“Hi, my name is Yaslin. I am a GEM. The reason why I am in the GEM program is because I want to show other females that they can be a leader and not a follower. I want to show them that they have a voice and teach them not to be afraid of using their voice. I also want to show them they shouldn’t be insecure about their body. Another reason why I joined the GEM program is because I want to use my voice and learn how to be a better person. I want to learn how to do things professionally.”

Dylene:

“Hi! My name is Dylene and I go to school at the Academy Of Public Relations. I am a member of GEMS because I want all girls to feel comfortable talking to anyone, for all girls to show their true power, and for all girls to show their true selves. I also wanted to try something new for myself and to let everyone know that I have a voice and that all girls should not be afraid to share their voice. I want to be a role model for my little sister. I also want more girls to be apart of things like this and to not be scared of trying new things in life. I enjoy being in the GEM Program because I learn important things that I never learned before. For example, I learned a lot about debit cards and credit cards. I enjoy being with my GEM sisters.

Midahlia:

“My name is Midahlia and I am a 7th grader at the Academy of Public Relations. I am a GEM because I am helpful and motivating. I am also pretty good at helping girls figure out who they are. I do not like hearing girls say they get bullied, so I like to help girls know that other people’s opinions don’t matter. I want girls to know to know they have potential. I enjoy being a GEM because I get to be helpful and I love being helpful.”

Kamila:

“My name is Kamila. I am a member of the GEMs because I believe in women empowerment and that girls can do whatever they dream to be. I believe girls can achieve their goals and that boys and girls should be treated equally. Girls can be equally strong, independent, and successful just like anyone else. Being a GEM means helping someone out, and I get to be myself. I like being a leader. Another reason why I am a GEM is because I want girls or women to feel like they can make a difference in the world or anywhere they are.”

Elonie:

“Hello, my name is Elonie. I am a 7th grader at the Academy Of Public relations and I am a GEM! I enjoy being in the GEM program because we do a lot of community service and try to help out our community. Another reason why I enjoy being a GEM is because we meet other GEMs from the District 7. Seeing all of us young girls, at this age, trying to do something that can change our community is empowering. Last year when I was in the GEMs program, it was really fun. We mostly learned about job shadowing and did a lot of research during that time. In the GEMs program, you will always have to be prepared and practice. We have performances and we answer a lot of questions when we attend trips. Being in the GEM program empowers young ladies to not be afraid to say what they think. Being an inspiration to other young ladies like myself is such a great opportunity.

Jacqueline:

“I like being a GEM because I get to help others who need it. I think being a GEM is important because we get to help charities and change the world. I also like being a GEM because it teaches me to be responsible and show courage to others. I think it is important also because homelessness and littering are a problem and me and my GEM members see what we can do to help. For example, we decided to help stop littering because we are also hurting sea animals. People need to notice that. I like being a part of GEMs because it is a good opportunity for me to have.”

Lauren:

“I like being a GEM because I like doing charity work and because I like helping people. For example, when they feel sad. Being a GEM is important because we help people and because we are making a change to the world. Also I like being a GEM because we get to be leaders to the lower grades. Being a GEM is also important because we get the chance to help people in need.”

Juleidy:

“I like being a GEM because I like to help people and help the community. I think that the GEMs is important because we get to help the community. Also because we get to make the world a better place by making signs of not littering, doing community service, helping homeless people. We are doing a charity project to help the world.”

Danasia:

“I like being a GEM because I get to help people in need. I think being a GEM is important because we are helping to change the world and changing peoples’ lives. For example, by not putting trash on the floor. Also you get to be around people you care about like your classmates.”