Middle school is a time of growth, when girls begin asking some of the bigger questions in life about who they are, where they belong, and their purpose. During a recent True Genius Virtual Event with Endow, women from across the country shared what happens when girls are given space to discover the truth about these heady issues and why it matters.
Accompanying girls in this discovery can be magical, especially when the girls are able to voice their “aha” moments from their encounters and experiences with other girls and the women who lead them.
That truth is echoed in testimonies. These stories trace how girls learn to recognize and then choose authentic relationships that form lasting bonds and inspire change in their lives.
“Finally, Someone Is Telling Me the Truth”
Riley, now a youth minister in Nebraska, encountered Defining Dignity, the first in this twobook series, as an eighth grader. Years later, she still remembers the moment clearly.
“There was a part of me that thought, ‘Finally, someone is telling me the truth,’” she shared. “I had been told so many things about who I was supposed to be and where my worth came from. And then I heard, ‘You have dignity just because you exist.’ That was really powerful for me.”
At the time, Riley was struggling and felt little hope for the future. While the study didn’t remove those struggles, it gave her hope to hold onto.
“It told me the truth about who I am and that God has a good plan for my life,” she said. “I carried that truth into high school, college, and even into my prayer life.”
Today, Riley is preparing to launch the same series in her own parish. She’s determined to “sit down with young girls and give them time, attention, and truth so they know they are seen and loved.”
Small Shifts That Matter
Emma, a middle school counselor at a Catholic school in Georgia, began leading True Genius groups midday during lunch and recess.
What she noticed was subtle change.
“The girls used to separate into little pockets,” she explained. “Now they sit at one long table. They listen to each other. They don’t divide the same way.”
Seventh grade, she noted, is often defined by insecurity and social comparison, which can challenge relationships. The group gave girls a shared language and a safe place to explore healthy boundaries.
“These are small shifts,” Emma said. “But they matter. You can see them becoming one group, not rivals.”
Her takeaway for other educators was simple. No matter how brief, once exposure to truth takes hold, girls want more.
What Girls Are Looking For
Girls don’t want more information. These testimonies demonstrate their hunger for truth, relationship, and belonging. Their capacity to respond can ripple out through friendships, schools, and families in surprising says.
One participant put it simply, that “a truth that is discovered stays.
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True Genius Series
Two six-week studies where middle school girls discover who they are and how to shine.
Defining Dignity helps girls discover their God-given worth, while Forming Friendships shows them how to build healthy authentic relationships.
Packed with engaging activities, lively conversations, and saint stories, every session sparks growth and joy.
