A leadership organization for young women has started a Kansas chapter, and a Great Bend High School senior is helping lead the charge to get the word out.
Chayla Prendergast, a GBHS senior, serves as vice president of the newly formed Kansas Chapter of Girls Lead Now, an international leadership empowerment program built around helping young women and girls develop confidence and make an impact in their communities.
The chapter is the brainchild of 15-year-old Ellie Lund of Clay Center, who started the group on her own this summer.
“She’s 15, actually, which I think is crazy,” Prendergast said. “She sent out applications for the board, and I applied and got on — I was originally the director of outreach, but then I got promoted up to vice president.”
Girls Lead Now is not affiliated with any single school. It’s a statewide network with an international reach, bringing together girls from Kansas and around the world to build community and connection. But because the Kansas chapter only launched this summer, Prendergast said getting the word out has been a challenge.
“It’s been kind of rough because we are new,” she said. “Not everyone really knows what it is yet, and there’s not a bunch of promotion for it yet.”
Prendergast was already active in leadership groups and activities at GBHS. Among them: softball, basketball, HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America, a group for future health professionals), National Honor Society, Student Ambassadors, Zero Reasons Why, RAK (Random Acts of Kindness), and an internship with a physical therapist at Ellinwood Hospital and Clinic. She’s also in pep club, FCA and Kayettes. Even so, she’s finding time for Girls Lead Now because it’s a cause she believes matters.
“I think it’s so important to advocate for girls’ inclusivity in their communities,” she said.
She defines a confident leader as someone who can bring people together toward a shared goal — and says the role has already changed her.
“I’ve become a lot more confident emailing and interviewing people,” Prendergast said.
One thing that’s stood out to her since joining is the range of girls involved with the organization.
“I was really surprised with the variety of girls that are involved — not only location-wise, but the general variety of interests, hobbies, careers,” she said. “You get to hear about events, community service and opportunities you might not have heard about if you weren’t in contact with the other girls.”
Right now, the chapter’s executive board and volunteers are working to grow their membership base and establish a presence in the community. They are also looking at potential community service projects, such as a hygiene product donation drive. Members also hope to partner with local nonprofits on efforts such as food pantries and clothing drives.
As a young nonprofit, the chapter is also seeking funding through GoFundMe and Cash App to support its programs, and the group has launched a newsletter to keep members and supporters updated on its activities.
Other board members are Stephanie Fonseca, director of social media, McPherson High School; Emma Lockhart, director of social media, Sterling Jr./Sr. High School; Parker Metoyer, director of fundraising, Halstead High School; Kabellah Sheets, director of communication, Salina South High School; Solveig Chase, director of finance, Manhattan High School; Danika Zimmerman director of advertisement, Halstead High School; and team members Madison Dombroski, Ellinwood High School; Lilly Newell, Salina South High School; and Aiyonna Tincher, Halstead High School.
Organizers are looking for members, volunteers, partnerships and donations. Those interested in learning more or joining can find the group on Instagram at GirlsLeadNow_Kansas or reach Prendergast directly at chayla.prendergast@greatbendschools.net.
