“GEMfest” – A Day of Empowerment & Celebration For Middle School Girls

On Saturday, February 29, middle school girls in grades 6, 7, and 8 are invited to attend Sage Hill School’s third annual GEMfest event – a celebratory conference that aims to inspire young girls to “leap into their passions” and educate them (and their parents) about empowerment, self-esteem, and independence.  The day features a series of conversations with this year’s special guests + keynote speakers and various interactive workshops that attendees can choose from. 

The event will also include an all-new Marketplace area featuring local businesses and non-profit organizations that attendees can visit & shop, as well as a sit-down lunch with approachable high school mentors.

This year, GEMfest welcomes three inspirational women to join its lineup of featured guests, including entrepreneurs like Sophia Amoruso, founder of Girlboss Media and Nasty Gal Clothing and Gorjana Reidel, founder of gorjana Jewelry. Additionally, Kellee Kim, a contestant on CBS’s Survivor season 39 and advocate for empowerment will be delivering this year’s keynote speech to close the event.

Featured workshops, which attendees will have an opportunity to sign-up for in advance upon registering, are planned to include topics such as self-defense, careers in science, public speaking, goal setting, coding and an introduction to bullet journaling.

The event will kick off with an opening session on intention setting with two fireside chats with special guests Gorjana Reidel and Sophia Amoruso. Immediately following, attendees will have an opportunity to explore the Marketplace where they can shop and mingle with local businesses and non-profit organizations. During the next portion of the event, attendees will partake in a hands-on workshop (which are selected prior to the event upon registering) while parents and chaperones are invited to attend a special session led by experts on how to help students thrive physically, emotionally, and academically during this period of their lives.

During a lunch break, students will be able to converse with high school mentors just before the final afternoon session begins.  This portion of GEMfest will feature a dance performance and message from keynote speaker, Kellee Kim. To conclude the event, the GEM team will share an inspirational message with attendees encourage them to live authentically and be the best versions of themselves.

GEMfest will take place on Sage Hill’s campus, located at 20402 Newport Coast Drive, on Saturday, February 29, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at gemfestoc.com.  Space is limited, and two ticket options are available upon registration, including:

$17 tickets – for students, available online here

$27 tickets – for parents, available online here

Each student attendee will receive a swag bag filled with giveaways from participating sponsors including Tilly’s, B. Candy, Gloss Moderne, Gorjana Jewelry, Urban Decay Cosmetics, and Hu Kitchen. Parents and chaperones will also be given a gift bag with their own set of exclusive items.  For more information, about this event, visit gemfestoc.com.