The area of Pinellas Park and surrounding St. Petersburg, FL is challenged with problems of poverty, single-parent households with no support, high incidences of substance abuse and lack of guidance for many of our youth. As a teacher, I see the difference that guidance and listening can make to an adolescent girl. I also see that there is a huge need for our young women to nurture and respect themselves through healthy body image, self-confidence and a positive attitude!

My project involves a runway show for everybody, not just the stick thin model type, to flaut what their mommas gave them! The project would be called BeYourself and would try to promote a healthy body image among teens. The idea for clothes is very unique. I would have recycled shirts available to any teen (or young adult) who has something to tell the world. The people who collect these shirts would design their own by painting, drawing, cutting, or writing to spread their message to the world. They could be messages about body image, world peace, stereotypes...