Celebrating Success: Female Strong Scholar Shines at National Student Leadership Conference
At Female Strong, our mission is to empower and uplift young women, providing them with opportunities that amplify their potential and nurture their growth. We are immensely proud to share the achievements of an exceptional individual who has exemplified the spirit of our organization: Emery Matthews. This remarkable young woman, an alumni of our Youth Empowerment Academy (YEA!) program, was awarded a scholarship to attend the prestigious National Student Leadership Conference hosted at esteemed universities all over the country. Her experiences and accomplishments are a testament to the power of education, determination, and the unwavering support of Female Strong.
Emery Matthews’ Scriptwriting and Filmmaking Camp at UCLA
This summer at UCLA’s NSLC scriptwriting and filmmaking camp was an incredible experience. Participants enjoyed initial dinners and networking with peers from across the country. They were inspired by guest speaker Alex Wu from 3 Body Problem and tackled a 48-second film challenge, gaining hands-on production experience.
They explored leadership styles, visited the Dolby Theatre, and went on field trips to the Academy Museum and Warner Brothers. They learned screenplay creation, cinematography, and editing, with editing being a standout class. Leadership activities included the Red and Black game and the Dyadic Encounter, which offered deep personal insights.
A highlight was Christi Karvonides, a costume designer for American Horror Story, who inspired future designers. The camp concluded with participants planning, filming, and sharing their own 5-minute short films, culminating in earning their own Oscars.
“Overall the NSLC was an insightful, eye opening experience that gave me inspiration and the courage to follow after my dream of become a movie director. The field trips we went on, activities we did, and guest speakers we had all made this experience one for the books. Everyone was so kind, and helpful, and I will cherish this experience for the rest of my life.” ~ Emery
Learn more about the YEA! Chicago program, our 6 month entrepreneurship intensive for girls in 6th-12th grade, at https://femalestrong.org/program/entrepreneur-girls/. In October, we are kicking off a new cohort in Downtown Chicago. We encourage you or a passionate girl in your life to apply today!
