Sophomores Priya Chatwani, Allison Gist take responsibility in Generation Wow organization

By Kayla Knowles
Staff Writer

Costa sophomores Priya Chatwani and Allison Gist have begun to pursue careers as strong business leaders by becoming involved in the organization Generation Wow.

Donna Orender, former professional basketball player, founded the organization to mentor female teens for future career options and strengthen their abilities and skills in business.

“Generation Wow is about connecting the leaders of tomorrow with the leaders of today,” Orender said. “I am a believer in the capability and the resilience for young women to contribute in meaningful ways to life around them.”

The main goal of this organization is to have women make a difference. Requirements for participation in the program include recruiting other girls from underprivileged high schools to join. Generation Wow hopes to teach young women about the importance of an education and how to impact change for oneself and the world, while inspiring women’s leadership.

“This program allows girls to get inspired by people who have experience in life [and can] offer them insight, knowledge and motivation,” Orender said.

Gist got involved with the program because of the opportunities it could provide her with in the future. Wanting to major in business, Gist’s college counselor, Rick Singer, suggested that Generation Wow would be a beneficial opportunity.

“I feel like this experience will help me figure out what I want to do job-wise and provide me with great business connections to business women that I can use in my future,” Gist said.

Chatwani is not yet a part of the program, but she is going to join, due to a suggestion from Singer as well. She feels it is important for women to be a strong influence in the work environment.

“It sounded like a cool opportunity to help girls reach their full potential,” Chatwani said. “I think it’s essential that girls have female mentors in their lives.”

The program is new, as it was organized in November of 2013. Orender launched her first event in October in Jacksonville, Florida. At the event, teens got the chance to collaborate with a mentor and participate in business. Generation Wow is still a growing organization, and Orender hopes to influence teens to get inspired and join this program.

“This program is important for female inspiration,” Orender said. “It is important for networking and building relationships. It could guide you in the specific direction that you want to go in for your career and future as an independent woman.”