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NHS girls learn to be their best 'selfie'
Nevada Daily Mail
About 300 female students from the Nevada High School received an early break from classes as they instead participated in the My Life program Nov. 25.
The freshmen through junior students heard from four speakers as they addressed topics under the theme of "Selfie." Those subjects included how to be your best selfie, selfie-esteem, how to tell your story, and selfie-defense as the speakers and mentors provided guidance for the girls in their choices, relationships and their future.
"We try to pick something that's relevant to the girls," said Crystal Burch, educator at Nevada High School and organizer of the My Life program.
During the My Life event, the girls heard from the speakers in three sessions. In between the sessions they split into small groups with mentors of all ages and stages of life from the community to share on a more personal level.
During his sessions, Beau Norman -- who has participated in both the girls' and boys' programs in Nevada since they began -- told the girls they have value and purpose in their lives, which is not dictated by the circumstances surrounding them.
"I want you to know you're beautiful, you're incredible and you deserve the best in the relationship you're in," Norman told the girls, calling them princesses who deserve a prince who respects them.
Before entering a relationship, Norman said they should put up "guard rails" in their life -- convictions they will not compromise, even when a boyfriend or friend encourages them to do so.
"When you hit a guard rail, it will hurt," Norman said. "But it will save your life."
He reminded them love is not a pothole they fall into, but they must grow into it and develop it. He also said even though they believe their choices decreased their worth, that is a lie and they can decide at any point to start again by making new decisions.
Other speakers included Kasha Clark and Denise Carrick-Hedges, who shared their own stories and encouraged the girls to be the best they could be, despite their circumstances or decisions they made that result in negative consequences.
In one large group, the girls participated in a rant session, when the panel of speakers and Burch answered questions they received from the girls by text throughout the day. Some of the questions addressed issues such as depression, self-confidence, relationships, bisexuality and the lack of a father figure in their life.
Burch said some of the answers they give are information the girls already know, but the program gives them a chance to speak with mentors when they do not feel comfortable speaking with their parents or other adults in their lives.
Law enforcement officers then showed the girls how to defend themselves if they were ever assaulted.
Every other year, the organization alternates providing the event for the young men and women of the community, with the Man Up program to be offered in 2015. Burch said they based the program on one held in Joplin, which got it from a city in Oklahoma. This year, representatives of another area came to observe the event as they plan to utilize it as well.