16 eighth graders just graduated from Lake Washington Girls Middle School and their thoughts on why this school meant so much to them illustrate why, for some girls, not having boys around can be such a benefit. “At my old school I was quiet most of the time, and I felt like I was holding all of my real self in. I was waiting to let my true self out at Lake Washington Girls Middle School.” “It’s a gift that I got to go to this school. I’m much better at sharing my thoughts. I’m always totally myself. I’m not scared of what other people are going to think of me.” “Girls at ‘L-Dub’ are not afraid to express their feelings. No one is there to suppress them.” “At Lake Washington Girls Middle School they teach you that it’s OK to show who you really are to your friends.”