By Rakhi Kundra ’17, Staff Writer

We listened.  We were informed.  We have been changed.  The meaningful and intriguing presentation by Dr. Mikey Fowlin last week left many people thinking.  Especially girls.

According to an 8^th grade girl who wishes to remain anonymous, “The presentation made us more aware and snapped us back into the reality that girls judge a lot, even though they may be subconsciously judging, they are still judging”.  Basically, this presentation was a big slap in the face for girls.  We have realized that we actually participate in the judgment and criticism of other girls, and that we have to stop.  Dr. Mikey Fowlin caused girls to reconsider their actions and their decisions.

Another 7^th grade girl said “I received texts that night from various people apologizing for all that they have done, begging for my forgiveness.  The presentation really made girls bolder and braver and they finally began to try to clear up the hot air”.  Yes, girls were apologizing for their actions.  However, they were also struck hard.  After the presentation, middle school girls could be found crying in bathrooms or leaving school early.  The presentation took an emotional toll on middle school females.  Why did this happen?

An 8^th grade girl responded to this question saying “We all felt so bad.  We realized that we had treated everyone like garbage, and we felt like we had committed the largest crime. We realized that we too could have ruined people’s days, even their lives.  We didn’t realize the effect we had had on other girls until then.  We were shocked”.

Now we know that the judging and criticizing of middle school girls is a problem. We have the responsibility to change.  This is no joke.  As Newark Academy middle school girls, we have come to the conclusion that everything we say stays with who we said it to.  There is no taking back.