Embracing self-esteem, part II

[Editor’s note: Claremont Girl Scout Junior Troop 1094 from Sycamore School is in the midst of earning a “Becoming a Teen” merit badge and, as such, have been working to debunk the myth of beauty in the media through an examination of airbrushed and Photoshop-enhanced images of women and girls online and in print.

A series of letters the girls wrote in response to an article on a project undertaken by Girl Scout Troop 5364, “Embracing self-esteem instead of false

beauty,” is published below. —KD]

Dear Editor:

Thank you for publishing this article on the Girl Scout troop’s badge on self-esteem. I believe that this is truly a cause that should be more recognized, and I think it will be.

Your reporter paid good attention to details, aside from the fact that troop leader Tina Mann is actually a Sycamore teacher, not Sumner. I was very impressed that this article made the front page and got a very good amount of your space and time. It was nice that you got the perspective of Lara Jenkins. I liked what she had to say. Thank you,

Merry Aichele

Troop 1094

Dear Editor:

I am writing because I would like you to know how much I appreciate the article that you put in about self-esteem vs. fake beauty (“Girl Scouts embrace self-esteem instead of false beauty”).

I feel that it is very important to get the point across to all girls—including me—that self-esteem is more important than looks and Photoshopped images. People should not stress out over beauty and weight when there are so many more important things. Thank you for listening to my points. Sincerely,

Lucy Chinn

Troop 1094

Dear Editor:

Thank you for putting the article in the COURIER about fake beauty! I liked it because it was a great article that showed what is on the inside [of us] is the most important, not just what’s on the outside.  It was helpful because it can help girls feel confident about themselves. Thanks again! Love,

Cece Selznick

Troop 1094

Dear Editor:

I thought that Girl Scout Troop 5364 (“Girl Scouts embrace self-esteem instead of false beauty”) did a great job getting the point across about inner beauty—that what is on the inside counts and your beauty [should be] shown in your own ways.

I think beauty pageants are fake, because the girls get all dressed up and put on so much make-up so we can’t see who they really are. Sincerely,

Lilly Pugno

Troop 1094

Dear Editor:

I really appreciate the fact that you put this article in the COURIER (“Girl Scouts embrace self-esteem instead of false beauty”).

My troop and I have been learning a bit about this and how lots of images in magazines are fake. I’ve also seen some YouTube videos that say the same thing.  There are a lot of Photoshopped models that young teenagers don’t know about and I’m glad that you are bringing this to awareness. From,

Jenna Heskin

Troop 1094

Dear Editor:

I thank you for coming up with the idea to write the article “Girl Scouts embrace self-esteem instead of false beauty,” because it helps remind young teenagers they don’t need a lot of make-up, popular apps or the new style of clothes to express themselves.

Thank you for showing me and my Girl Scouts what it is like to be ourselves. Sincerely,

Mae Key-Ketter

Troop 1094

Dear Editor:

Thank you for publishing this article!  My Girl Scout troop and I recently were talking about how People magazine and other magazines Photoshop their pictures.

We also watched videos on YouTube about Photoshopped models and actresses and we all decided the women look much better before they were Photoshopped. Again, thank you! Love,

Sophie D’Ambrosia-Donner

Troop 1094