FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 2, 2018

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phil West, Orange Cone Agency
512.769.3838, phil.west@orangeconeagency.com

GIRLSTART’S KRISTI ESCHBERGER HONORED BY NATIONAL AFTERSCHOOL ASSOCIATION AS ONE OF ITS 2018 NEXT GENERATION OF AFTERSCHOOL HONOREES

Girlstart’s senior program coordinator, Kristi Eschberger, has been named by The National AfterSchool Association (NAA), the lead organization for the advancement of the after school professional, as one of NAA’s 2018 Next Generation of Afterschool honorees.

Eschberger, initially a college intern with the non-profit organization dedicated to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education for girls, became a full-time staff member in 2012, and has since been involved in growing and developing its To Go Summer Camps across the nation as well as its Central Texas after school and summer camps.

“We’re proud of Kristi for being recognized by the NAA for her contributions to Girlstart After School and Girlstart Summer Camp programming,” said Tamara Hudgins, executive director for Girlstart. “Kristi has been instrumental in the growth of our programming, and she’s no doubt deserving to be named among the best of the next generation of after school educators across the nation.”

In selecting NAA’s Next Generation of Afterschool 2018, proudly sponsored by S&S Worldwide, the National AfterSchool Association sought to highlight emerging professionals who are active in the after school community—young leaders who possess passion, creativity and a commitment to youth; who embrace professional development; who embody the NAA core competencies. Honorees were profiled in the Winter 2018 issue of NAA’s AfterSchool Today magazine. To view the digital edition of the magazine, click here.

“The National AfterSchool Association believes that strong leadership in after school programs have a direct impact on child and youth development,” said Gina Warner, President and CEO of NAA. “We count on these emerging leaders to help shape the next generation of the after school field.”

An estimated 10.2 million children participate in after school programs each year and the industry employs an estimated 850,000. The National AfterSchool Association is the membership association for professionals who work with children and youth in diverse school and community-based settings to provide a wide variety of extended learning opportunities and care during out-of-school hours.

ABOUT GIRLSTART
Girlstart, founded in Austin in 1997, is one of the largest community-based informal STEM education nonprofits in the nation specifically dedicated to empowering and equipping girls in STEM, through year-round programming that promotes girls’ early engagement and academic success in STEM, encourages girls’ aspirations and persistence in STEM education and careers, and incubates a talented and diverse STEM workforce. Its innovative, nationally-recognized programs include after-school and summer camps for students, professional development for teachers, and community and online STEM education outreach programs. Girlstart cultivates a culture where risk is rewarded, curiosity is encouraged, and creativity is expected. As a result, Girlstart girls are connected, brave, and resilient. Girlstart makes girls more successful, and inspires them to take on the world’s greatest challenges.

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