‘[Girls] You ARE Beautiful’

Story by Sarah Van Horn

One way speakers or advocates convince whom they wish is by constantly repeating one’s stance – another way is by the advocates personally communicating with said persons. Earlier in the year, Bryce Sahs, 17, was told to apply for Cornhusker Boys State by an advisor at from his high school in York. Sahs was not impressed. He was unsure about the program and had few plans for applying. Yet, he is now the presiding as a member of the School Board at Boys State.

“A woman from the Legion (ALA) literally came and knocked on my front door,” Sahs said. “They really wanted me – they said I was the perfect delegate – she convinced me to apply.”

Sahs was directly told he was perfect. Much like a laser pointer it was precise and directed towards him. However sometimes, compliments of perfection come from a flashlight – attracting a much broader audience. 

Both Boys and Girls State were spoken to by Mike Smith, Professional teenager on Monday evening. During the evening he spoke of his highs and lows, his charity, being the best person you can be and ended with saying, “Lastly, Girls you ARE beautiful. Even you don’t think you: you are. I want you all to know that; it’s very important.”

“Him saying that threw me for a loop,” Sahs said. “I come from a small town; we don’t get too many motivational speakers. Especially ones that say ‘you’re beautiful.’”

Sahs has never been called beautiful; none of his friends have been called beautiful (to his knowledge). Yet, he feels it is important that girls know that they are beautiful. He said he was glad Smith added that final point.

“Men aren’t women,” Sahs said. “I don’t really care if no one calls me handsome. But I feel like girls do care. From what I’ve gathered, I think that girls always remember if someone calls them something they don’t want to be called. And I feel like they sometimes forget when they’re told that (they are beautiful); that’s why they should be told a lot.”

According to a study by Romin W. Tafarodi at the University of Texas at Austin men have more self-esteem than women at a ratio of 26:21. Although confidence varies between men and women, overall men typically are more confident than women. Reasons for this may come from pressures, from society, peers, men and many other forms.

“Society thinks that girls have to be skinny, attractive and dependent,” Sahs said. “But I don’t think so. You can’t build a person so they fit all of you needs. People are people, I feel like more people need to be told they’re OK, or beautiful, especially girls.”

Spread the word. Beauty is back in style.