2008 Camp Updates

Find out about our Fantastic Staff below . Scroll down for Field Trips.

Program Updates:

The deadline to enroll in GirlsFirst has been extended past the original June 1st deadline.
Use the list below to find out which courses have been closed.
Click Here to enroll today!

Closed Courses (as of June 1, 2008):
- Internet Journalism (Session 1)

Staff Bios

Cathryn Cleveland-Hirsch: Program Director

Cathryn has been a part of the Madeira Schools Residential Program for 10 years. As the
Assistant Dean of students for Residential Life, she managed and trained the Residential
Life staff. Cathryn works diligently with our 165 boarding students to make sure they were
safe, comfortable and cared for in their home away from home. She brings this experience
of the Madeira environment to our GirlsFirst program. Cathryn is highly regarded figure in our
community and we are thrilled to welcome her as Program Director this summer.

Natalie Sopic: Academic Director

Natalie received her BA from Bucknell University, with a double-major in Design Management
and Women's Studies. While pursuing her Masters degree in Education at Hunter College,
she began teaching and continues both to teach and to administer after-school enrichment
programs. As a daughter of a New York City independent school administrator, she has
grown up with an appreciation for the people and institutions that contribute to education.

Haley Lane Thompson: Creative Writing Workshop

Haley Lane Thompson holds a BA from the University of Iowa and is attending the Iowa's
Writers Workshop for her masters. As well as attending the University of Iowa, Haley also
teaches an online creative writing class that covers lessons in poetry and fiction. Additionally,
Haley volunteers as a mentor for young writers. The reason why Haley starting volunteering
was because she felt that there were no resources for youth to help them learn about writing
and professional opportunities.

Brittany DeNolfo / Chrissy Leavell: Fashion Design

We are very excited that Brittany DeNolfo and Chrissy Leavell are returning to teach our
Fashion Design course. Both Chrissy and Brittany studied together and received their BA
at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. They designed and taught this class
last year, with very high praises from both students and faculty.

Katelyn Norris: Interior Design

Katelyn is a graduate from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Katelyn
currently works at Christie’s Auction House in New York, were she is responsible for creating
and updating special events. She has volunteered at Olympus Fashion Week and the
Tribeca Film Festival.

Kelly Anderson L.V.T.: Veterinary Science

Kelly has her degree in Veterinary Technology. Kelly has had many years working as a
Veterinary Technician in various animal clinics and animal hospitals. In addition to her
veterinary experience in surgery, nursing, laboratory analysis, radiology, and animal care,
she and her husband keep many large animals on her own working farm.

Rebecca Algie: So You Want To Be President?

Rebecca earned her Political Science degree from Barnard College in New York. She has
spent many summers teaching in an all girls academic environment. She has coached
Model UN teams and brings her experience in both working with teenage girls into
our So You Want to be President? class.

Laura Burleson: Forensic Science

Laura received her under graduated degrees in both Biology and Psychology from
UNC Chapel Hill. She has recently completed her MA in Forensic Psychology from
Marymount University. She has also designed and led research studies in Forensics
through Marymounts graduate program. She is excited to bring her particular area
of expertise to our program this summer

Field Trips

Our Fashion Design girls will be visiting beautiful Georgetown to visit Urban Chic, which is a
boutique as well as an online store. They will have a tour/seminar with the Manager, where
she will talk about the Business of Fashion and some of their great designers. To visit their
website, click on the logo above.

Below are some of the trips Girls First students went on last summer. We may be revisiting
some of them in the upcoming 2008 summer season.

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