“Teens & Tweens” provides an “06880” voice for Westport youth. Today, rising junior Madeline Johnson writes about body image:
Growing up, like most girls, I played with Barbie dolls. However, along with sparking my imagination, this playtime activity also made me self conscious about my body.
I did not look like a Barbie. My body also did not look like the models in Vogue or on Instagram.
This led me to believe that the way the models looked was the only standard of beauty.
Madeline Johnson (nearest the ball), playing rec soccer at age 4.
I didn’t realize that Barbie’s unrealistic proportions were impossible to obtain, and I began comparing myself to these superficial images. As a generation, us girls have adopted a body and beauty standard from the images showcased in the media.
As a multi-sport athlete, I train year-round by weightlifting in order to keep my body healthy, and in shape to perform at a high level.
With that, my physique is not slim like the models that I see, but rather strong. I have soccer thighs, which I work hard for and am proud of. It’s taken me a long time to understand that about myself, and the images I see of women in the media have not helped me.
Madeline Johnson with her club soccer team, CFC.
It was only when I saw other athletes I looked up to, like more senior girls on Staples varsity soccer and lacrosse, my coaches, and the female athletes in all sports who proudly represent their countries with their strong and powerful bodies, that I started to appreciate my own.
Because most of the images I see in the media do not represent me, I still have to work hard to find positive images to aspire to.
Madeline Johnson, on the Staples lacrosse team.
If I could communicate one message about Barbie and negative body image, I’d stress the need for self-acceptance. Even though Mattel has created diversity within the Barbie products they are selling, and the media has become slightly more diverse, there is still a long way to go before women feel represented and accepted in society.
Young girls and women of all ages are beautiful just as they are. As a society we must work to abolish, or at least expand the existing beauty standard.
In the meantime, I’ll be at the gym.
(“Teens & Tweens” is an open forum for Westport youth. You can write about anything: good or bad, happy or sad, your passions and dreams, your thoughts about your life and community. You can use your name, or be anonymous. You can also submit artwork, videos or other media. If interested, email 06880blog@gmail.com.)
Tomorrow, Jolie Gefen graduates from Staples High School.
One of 2 “06880” interns this spring, she helped develop our new “Teens & Tweens” series, giving Westport’s youth a voice on our blog.
Jolie kicks things off today, writing honestly and impactfully about her time in high school. Please share her words with the young people in your life.
According to Google, optimism is “hopefulness and confidence about the future or the successful outcome of something.”
Jolie Gefen
As a moody high schooler undergoing all kinds of stress and drama, the idea of optimism did not come easily to me. As I anticipate graduating on Monday, I reflect on my past 4 years, and now know much more than I did as a freshman.
I wish I had prioritized keeping an open mind and staying positive.
As most of us know very well, Staples fosters an extremely competitive environment. At times, the constant stress and competition I forced myself to undergo and experience over simple assignments was far too overwhelming.
I also often kept a closed mind about taking classes outside of my comfort zone or in subjects I had yet to partake in. I deeply regret that, but I have also learned from it.
High school is a time to learn what kinds of things interest a person, and I feel I neglected to do so. It’s imperative to take advantage of the many avenues Staples offers us and to ignore anyone suggesting that the classes you take have to align with what you may pursue in college, as it is simply not true.
When it came to the topic of college, my situation also was very close-minded and pessimistic. All my life I have had one dream school. This school was pretty much do or die for me, and I made myself feel that my worth and value as a person and student relied on getting accepted by this college.
I constantly doubted my ability of success, and became frantic over each imperfect grade as it could have hurt my chances of acceptance.
I implore future seniors about to embark on this long journey to stay optimistic throughout the process, and maintain faith in yourself. You will end up where you need to be, and at the end of the day, a college does not define you.
One of the biggest regrets I have to this day is how narrow-minded I was regarding friends. Until senior year, I had failed to reach out to new people or be open to becoming friends with some people because of preconceived notions in my head. Right before senior year, however, I joined a big group of amazing girls and found my best friends.
Jolie Gefen and friends.
Although it’s impossible to know it will work out until you’re on the other side of things, I really wish I had just kept an open mind to everyone around me. The people I am closest to today are people I hadn’t even ever talked to a year ago. Things really do have a way of working out, and I believe I am living proof.
I know it’s all easier said than done, but I truly hope anyone reading this who may feel the same as I did when it came to classes, college or friends hears me when I say that keeping an open, positive mind is key. When things are tough, try your hardest to find the silver linings and stay optimistic.
When things are great, savor every moment.
I have learned that high school is truly what you make of it.
(“Teens & Tweens” is an open forum for Westport students. You can write about anything: good or bad, happy or sad, your passions and dreams, your thoughts about your life and community. You can use your name, or be anonymous. You can also submit artwork, videos or other media. If interested, email 06880blog@gmail.com.)
One task of the Historic District Commission is to “take such action as the meeting may determine to oppose the issuance” of demolition permits, and “require the full 180-day delay,” of homes more than 50 years old.
The idea is to allow time for alternate plans to be developed.
That rarely happens. Whether immediately or after 180 days, developers almost always demolish.
Next Tuesday’s HDC meeting (7 p.m., Zoom) includes an especially large number of “delay” requests.
The first is for 125 Riverside — the Coley-Crossman home diagonally across from Assumption Church.
The others are:
2 Windy Hill Road
10 Bauer Place
32 Webb Road
21 Long Lots Lane
158 Compo Road North
159 Easton Road
33 Oak Street
20 Blue Ribbon Drive
35 Evergreen Parkway.
125 Riverside Avenue
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“06880”‘s newest feature wants to hear from any and all Westport “teens and tweens.”
This is your chance to share your thoughts, ideas and insights with our world.
Every kind of experience is welcome: good or bad, happy or sad. You can talk about local issues: what’s going on at school, with your sports or arts or other activities, the skate park, Community Gardens, downtown or anything else.
You can talk about what you love about Westport. Or what you hate.
You can talk about bigger issues: how the debate over Israel and Gaza affects you. What the upcoming election means to you — or why you don’t care. Ditto for climate change.
And you don’t have to limit yourself to writing. If you feel more comfortable expressing yourself through a video, podcast, music or art — send it along.
All submissions, in all mediums and styles, are welcome.
If you’d like your name used with your submission: great! If you prefer anonymity: also great! Just let us know.
The goal is to get your voice heard.
To start, click here; then fill out the short form. We’ll take it from there.
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Tammy Barry had a great experience yesterday, at the Greens Farms post office.
There were no $1 stamps available. So Paul helped her place 3 stamps each, on all of her daughter’s wedding invitations.
Then he hand-stamped them all, preventing them from any possible damage in the machine.
In addition, Tammy says, “he was so friendly with all the patrons. He called many of them by their first names.
“His frequent saying is ‘I got you!’ He’s the best!”
Their loyal customers will probably kill me (and Tammy) for revealing the secret, but the Greens Farms post office is a great alternative to the downtown one.
There’s seldom a line. And always a parking spot.
Paul (right) and colleague Frank, at the Greens Farms post office. (Photo/Tammy Barry)
Karen Mather had a great experience yesterday too.
It did not start out that way, though.
Driving down Greens Farms Road, she saw a adorable — but listless — baby raccoon, perilously close to the street.
She called Westport Animal Control (203-341-5076). Officer Peter Reid arrived quickly.
He told Karen that the mother had most likely been killed; the baby was looking for her.
Fortunately, Peter said, the little critter was just very hungry. It could be saved at Wildlife in Crisis in Weston — where his wife volunteers.
He brought it right over.
The non-profit facility accepts over 5,000 wounded, ill and orphaned animals each year. The goal is to heal them, then return them to their natural habitats.
Who you gonna call if you see a creature needing help? Westport Animal Control or Wildlife in Crisis.
They’re both local life-savers.
Peter Reid, saving a raccoon.
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Rhone — the men’s clothing store on Main Street and a longtime champion of mental fitness — is hosting an evening dedicated to the topic.
Tomorrow’s event (Thursday, May 30, Westport Woman’s Club, 5:30 to 8 p.m.) includes inspirational speakers, a silent auction, and a “Mind & Muscle” experience led by Eric Johnson. It combines dynamic workouts with mental health discussions, combining physical and mental well-being.
Speakers will share personal reflections of recovery, suicide prevention, and the importance of mental health,
Rhone co-founder and CEO Nate Checketts will deliver the keynote. Other speakers include professional trainer Zac Clark (“Bachelorette” contestant and Scarlett Johansson trainer), and Staples High School boys basketball coach Dave Goldshore.
All proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction will go to Positive Directions. In addition, a generous donor will match funds up to $15,000.
There’s more: Rhone will donate 10% of proceeds from all purchases between May 31 and June 2 to Positive Directions.
Click here for tickets, and more information. Click here to bid on silent auction items.
“Art in Bloom” — a celebration of the Westport Public Art Collections, with drinks, light bites, art sales, a silent art auction, and a special exhibit of flower-themed works — is set for June 6 (7 to 9 p.m., Westport Woman’s Club).
This is the first fundraiser for Friends of WestPAC is 5 years. They welcome old and new friends, to ensure the continued growth, care, display and educational uses of the collections. Works are exhibited in public building throughout town, including schools, Town Hall, and municipal offices.
Artists include: Shirley Black, Paul Camacho, Leonard Everett Fisher, Hardie Gramatky, Clement Kamena, Lisa Daugherty, Jak Kovatch, Philippe Lejeune, Estelle Margolis, John Mavroudis, Howard Munce, Susan Malloy, Fred Otnes, Nancy Reinker, Walter Dubois Richards, Barbara Rothenberg, and others.
Those are some great names. Their work is varied, and outstanding.
Click here for tickets, sponsorship information, and donations.
Staples High School Class of 1997 graduate Lisa Marie Giallanza Sweeting died peacefully of natural causes at Danbury Hospital earlier this month. She was 45.
Her family moved to Westport from Georgia in 1983. Lisa began playing the violin in 4th grade. She played in the orchestra and sang in the choir at Staples.
She graduated from Arizona State University with a BA in broadcast management.
Lisa was the regional president of the MOMS club (Moms Offering Moms Support). She worked as the admissions coordinator at St. Joseph’s School in Brookfield, then as the office administrator and athletic director at St. Rose of Lima School in Newtown, Connecticut.
Lisa loved camping and annual trips to the Outer Banks.
She is survived by her husband, Russell Sweeting; children Lily, Ryan and Evelyn; parents Tom and Patricia, and brothers Tom Jr., and Michael.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Rose of Lima School, 40 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470.
And finally … in honor of Peter Reid’s nice save yesterday:
(As today’s Roundup shows, Westport is filled with helpful, caring people. That includes “06880” readers! Please join the generous folks who support this blog. Just click here — and thank you.)
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