I am 17 and just graduated from high school a couple of weeks ago. I read your story about “Teen Role Models” and, although it was written not to let you think that beauty pageants weren’t only for bimbos, it was misleading. It made it sound that these girls are the only role models for Malibu. I decided to switch to Santa Monica High in freshman year because I wanted to study Japanese and also because I wanted more diversity. Some of my Malibu friends also go to Santa Monica High. I have friends in Malibu, Santa Monica, Hollywood and many other places.
Many Malibu girls I know are “role models,” too. What about my friend who first heard Bob Marley and Rasta music when she was 11 and was so moved that she started communicating with people in Africa, Jamaica and other countries and started a Web site to help with better relationships. Or my friend who has her own band that was chosen to go to Japan as an ambassador for our school. Or my friend who decided to become a vegetarian when she was 12 and brings literature about vegetarian foods to libraries and who is doing a ‘walk for farm animals” activity in the fall.
Or the girls who co-wrote a short film chosen for first place in the high school category at the Sundance Film Festival. Or my friend who started food and clothing drives for kids without homes. O my friend who brings books to the poorer sections of Los Angeles and helps teach reading and writing. Or my friend who is a great listener and helps encourage so many. Or my surfer friend who arranges transportation to Malibu for other girls from various sections of Los Angeles and teaches them surfing. I could go on and on.
Many girls feel intimidated by stories like this one. I know some girls who actually thought about suicide because they thought they were not pretty enough. You don’t need looks to be articulate. I’d like to see your paper continue with stories about role models for Malibu, only find more interesting girls. Don’t just use pageant types!
Rosalie Scanlan