Berea College

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The Partnership for Appalachian Girls’ Education (PAGE), founded by Deborah Hicks, began as a dream of providing young girls access to learning without financial restraints. What once humbly began with nine girls gathered in a compact room that lacked air conditioning has now blossomed into a multi-faceted program based in Marshall, North Carolina. Located in the Appalachian mountains, just north of Asheville, PAGE serves girls from the scenic area of Madison County. Bordering Tennessee, this sparsely populated, beautifully forested county is known for some magnetic spots, like whitewater rafting on the French Broad or strolling through Hot Springs.

Participants, who vary from rising sixth graders to college interns, are encouraged to explore, connect, and thrive in empowering spaces.&nbsp; The wide-ranging structure behind the program includes multi-media projects, interdisciplinary initiatives, critical-thinking literature groups, and many more creative undertakings.

From building honeybee habitats and crafting beautiful visual diaries to producing the PAGE podcast’s debut episodes, I had the privilege to be an intern and help run the projects last summer. The PAGE program radiates joy and illuminates the lives of its participants. In my short 7-weeks there, I was able to facilitate a supportive space where both the girls and I could grow, learn, and inspire one another. PAGE as a whole transcends the traditional classroom and commits to an extraordinary kind of learning rooted in hands-on, experiential education.

PAGE is an investment of time, energy, and passion to uplift the young girls of Madison County. In an effort to grasp the depth of this commitment, I had the opportunity to informally interview two PAGE contributors: Maia Surdam, an educator, historian, and remarkable baker who serves as the Program Director, and Hal Gensler, an accomplished undergraduate student, activist, former PAGE college intern who now leads the PAGE Podcast.

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What aspect of PAGE will you keep with you, even after you leave?

I'd like to give a special note of thanks to the PAGE program for the gratifying internship experience, and to Maia Surdam for her invaluable guidance. All of my admiration and appreciation to Deborah Hicks, Debbie Chandler, and Ryn McCall as well as my Program Leaders, Dr. Amelia Hruby and Joanna McKone. Lastly, my wholehearted gratitude to my fellow Berea College interns, Hal and Juno.

Currently, PAGE offers a variety of programs including After-School opportunities in the Spring and Fall, Summer Sessions in June and July, High School Fellowships, and College Internships. To learn more, connect with PAGE on their <a href="https://pageprograms.com/">website</a>

<strong>Berea students can intern with PAGE! Check out the application <a href="https://pageprograms.com/programs/college-internships/">here</a> </strong>

And don’t miss the PAGE Podcast on Spotify: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7Lntu6qz4lHDtBYu0CdLEA?si=68ed5c38b108445f">The PAGE Podcast!</a>

Beyond The Classroom: How an Educational Nonprofit is Empowering Appalachian Girls