Girl talk
True You event helps female students navigate middle-school years
More than 100 girls looking for ways to navigate through the middle-school years were treated to "The True You," an informative seminar held Friday at Jeffrey Still Middle School.
Chairwoman Sandra Moustafa said the event, sponsored by the Still Parent Teacher Student Association, is significant because middle school can be a "tough period of time" for many girls.
"I think it is very important that the girls stay true to themselves," said Moustafa, who has a sixth-grade daughter at Still. "The girls need to learn to develop their best qualities, and see how beautiful they are from the inside out."
Seventeen-year-old Mary Stephens was on hand to talk to the girls about the challenges they face during middle school. In 2006, Stephens and a few friends organized the first "The True You" event when they were eighth-grade students at Still Middle School.
"By creating a program that encourages confidence and celebrates being yourself, we hoped to make middle school a much easier transition into teen years," said Stephens, now a junior at Waubonsie Valley.
Stephens said middle school can be difficult for girls, "especially with issues such as body image, gossip and boys.
"Looking back, I wish middle school had this program when I was in sixth grade," said Stephens. "I think it would have helped me a lot with friend problems and to raise my self-confidence."
Sixth-grader Shelby Patrey, 11, enjoyed the tips she received from "The True You."
"This experience shows you how you can overcome your fears," said Patrey. "You can think of a way to help you relax if you are nervous."
Moustafa hopes "The True You" is just the beginning for the girls.
"Peer pressure is a very big thing," Moustafa said. "We hope that when they leave here, they feel good about themselves. They can take some ideas they learned that will improve their self image, confidence and boost their self esteem."
