FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saint Mary's College student starts American Girl reading program


Media contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 284-4579

January 10, 2011 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—Saint Mary's College Eilis (pronounced Ay-lish) Wasserman '12 is a huge fan of historical American Girl dolls. She is also a communication studies (speech) major with minors in English writing and American history. This spring she’s using all of these passions to put on a program at two St. Joseph County Public Library branches. It’s called the American Girl Club, and it will meet once a month at the Francis and Centre branches. Each session, for girls (grades 3-5), will look at the story of one of the historical character dolls and discuss the time period in which her story is set.

At the first meeting, club members will explore what life would have been like in the 1970s for historical character doll Julie Albright. Wasserman will read a passage from the Julie Albright book series and the girls will design key chains and learn some basic dance moves of the Hustle. Participants will each receive a mood ring to take home.

At the Francis Branch, the program is scheduled to meet from 4-5 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month through May, with the exception of March when the club meets the second Tuesday. The first club meeting is Tuesday, January 18.

At the Centre Branch, the program is scheduled to meet from 4-5 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month through May, with the exception of March when the club meets the second Thursday. The first club meeting is Thursday, January 20.

Parents and guardians may sign up girls to attend either session clicking here, then clicking on the corresponding date. The phone number to the Centre Branch is (574) 251-3700 and the number for the Francis Branch is (574) 282-4641. There is no cost for the club.

Wasserman says she came up with the idea for the American Girl Club over the summer. She’s not getting any school credit for it. She’s doing it just for the love American history and American Girl dolls.

If you are interested in interviewing Wasserman for a news story, please contact Gwen O’Brien, director of media relations.

About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary’s College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” in the U.S. News & World Report 2011 College Guide. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.