Rising Greenwich High School freshman Giulia Roitman did a meaningful Capstone project at Central Middle School where the challenge was to find a real problem in the community and take action, rather than just write about it.
“I picked eating disorders and low self-esteem, because it’s something I’ve watched happen around me for a while now,” Giulia said. “I noticed it in my friends before I even really had a word for it — comments about their bodies, comparing themselves to people online, just feeling like they weren’t enough.”
Giulia said that one day after school, she went to every girls’ bathroom and put up mirror stickers with positive messages, things like “You look good today” and “Smile, it looks good on you.”
“It wasn’t anything huge. I just wanted there to be a different message in the one place where a lot of girls are hardest on themselves,” she explained.
Giulia said the reaction to her messages really surprised her.
“So many classmates came up to tell me it actually made their day better,” she said.
For example, two of the responses were:
“It was super cute, and it really brightened my day. I think they should continue to keep it in the school because they can be really motivating to students.” — Ava
“The stickers reminded me that even when I feel disregarded because of what I look like, I am not any less worthy. They are almost a silent reminder that I am enough just as I am.” — Sofia
Giulia said given social media had made the topic of body image more of an issue for people her age, the CMS Capstone effort became an important reminder that embracing your body exactly how it exists is an act of self-love.
