The school’s “ShineGirls” Club enables girls to stand out and “shine” among their peers. “ShineGirls,” started by ISS Coordinator Nova Chusan, is a club that helps young girls in grades 9-12 with skills to build their self confidence.

Chusan gives some insight into the club.

Q: What made you start the Shine Girls organization?

A: “I didn’t actually start Shine Girls. It’s a club through Wave City Care in Virginia Beach that participates in many middle schools and high schools throughout Hampton Roads.  Some senior students came to me last year and wanted to form this club here and needed a sponsor for it.  I agreed to do it because I was aware of this club and knew that it’s a positive club that can reach out to young girls who need something positive in their lives.”

Q: Are there any other sponsors besides yourself?

A: “I’m the only sponsor. However, there is a main facilitator from Wave City Care’s ShineGirls club who comes and facilitates it, along with me and three other assistants. This year the main facilitator is a graduate and housewife, two assistants are seniors at Old Dominion University, and the third is a mother, whose kids attended the school years ago.

Q: Do a lot of underclassmen join? What variety of people join?

A: “I have girls that range from grades 9 to 12 this year.  It’s only a club for girls; the maximum amount of girls at a time is 15.  There are two sessions throughout the year and new girl is in each session. A total of 30 girls per year is the goal.”

Q: How often are the meetings? Time?

A: “Once a week, on Thursday’s straight after school until at 3:30 p.m.  They can either get picked up by a parent afterwards or ride the activity bus once they have turned in their permission slips.”

Q: In regards to Shine Girls, what kind of legacy do you hope to instill in the student body after they leave? What do you hope to instill in young girls here at Cox?

A: “My hope for them is that once they’ve completed this nine week course, that they will have learned how to VALUE themselves more, have a strong sense of self-worth, make good choices under peer pressure, have a sense of purpose and will have formed great friendships.  Basically, that they leave empowered and share what they’ve learned with other girls; sprinkling kindness to others.”

Q: Who do you feel has helped you make this club what it is today?

A: “I have been fortunate to have the support from the school administration who gave approval for this club, along with other teachers who are aware of this club and inform young girls who can benefit from participating in this club.”

Q: Does your club have a slogan? 

A: “WORTH, STRENGTH, PURPOSE.”

Q: Do you feel the club is a success? How so?

A: “Yes, absolutely!  These girls are able to experience a close knit environment where they can talk about their concerns and they have adults in their life that cheer them, give them practical life advice and tools as to how to deal with real life issues that girls may face in this day in age! Most importantly, they walk away with new friendships that will last hopefully throughout high school.”

Q: What methods do you use for achieving the goals of Shine Girls?

A: “ShineGirls reinforces that they have choices and those choices will determine where they go in life.”