You can make your dreams reality is message of Shadow Day 2011

"Dear God, we know there's snow on the way, but you know tomorrow is Shadow Day, so could hold off the snow?" requested a seventh-grader named Laudys during lunch-time grace at Esperanza Academy, the tuition-free independent middle school for Lawrence girls on the Grace Church campus on Garden Street.

Echoes of "Amen" and "Please God" rippled through the Amory Hall, where the girls celebrate community time and take their meals.

The heavens must have been listening because 42 representatives of Great Women to Know carried on the four-year tradition of their version of a career day, at least until school was eventually let out at noon due to the weather. GWTK is a four-year-old nonprofit organization devoted to supporting Esperanza and has an active membership with numerous service, social and professional events throughout the year.

Shadow Day started on Ground Hog's Day in 2008.

GWTK president and co-founder Sue Wilson said, "By exposing the girls to a variety of career paths that they can envision, they can then picture multiple opportunities for their own futures. Shadow Day is really a day about hope and possibilities, which ties back so nicely with the school's name. Esperanza means 'hope' in Spanish."

Laurie Bottiger, the founding head of school said, "We had a lovely experience and my heart was full as I listened to the girls enthusiastically sharing their career dreams. I loved listening to them discern which profession they really wanted to pursue. This is music to my ears because we know that as long as young adolescents can envision themselves in various roles and are inspired to continue to grow, they will be fine! It is when they feel limited and without choice that their futures are in jeopardy."

Some 15 women spoke to fifth-through seventh-graders in 30-minute sessions from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. one day last month. Simultaneously, some 15 eighth-grade girls were off-site shadowing women in their workplaces. Workplace sponsors ranged from Diane Tower, owner of Andover Animal Hospital; Lea Savely of DISH in Andover; Dr. Yookyung Selig from Andover Ear, Nose and Throat; to Debbie Wilson of John Anton's Cleaners. Other students "worked" with Andover dentist Dr. Lois Lombardo and at Phillips Academy in the Addison Gallery with Julie Bernson, as well as Tia Hagen from Regus Office Center.

Meanwhile, overheard in the school's hallway following Dr. Jennifer Boisture's medical career talk, "I've never had so much fun in my life!" The student had just listened to her classmate's heartbeat and heard the variety of tracks she could pursue if interested in medicine.

The rotating schedule included talks on the subjects of veterinary sciences, orthodontistry, financial planning, law, writing, event planning, architecture, personal training, neuroscience, retail and marketing.

During a session conducted by writer Claire McCarthy, fifth-graders wrote their impressions of the day. A girl named Alondra said, "Adults cast a shadow upon us. A shadow of wisdom. I love shadow day!"

When one eighth-grader returned from her "work" at a doctor's office, she intensely spread what she witnessed. She had seen the devastating effects that drug use have on the body. After witnessing the damage, she vowed in front of her peers that she'd never use drugs.

"It doesn't get any more powerful than that," Wilson said. "One girl makes a vow for herself and dozens are witness to that. This is the kind of impact we strive to make."

Sue Wilson said she hopes women hearing about the success of Shadow Day will be encouraged to explore greatwomentoknow.org to see the full list of women who participated this year and to consider hosting an eighth-grader on Wednesday, April 20 for a day.