“True Beauty Grows from the Inside Out”
By: Jazmin Skinner
We live in a society that is heartbreakingly saturated with detrimental messages on what beauty should look like. Curls & Character is a group of females who get together to share anything and everything they go through in life. The group was organized to make teenage girls feel comfortable in their own skin and to help them to love themselves. The club emphasizes that no matter what the girls do to enhance their physical selves, there is absolutely nothing more beautiful or valuable than when they first seek to develop inner qualities. These qualities of empathy, kindness, self-respect, integrity, and love will establish true beauty!
Confidence is something young women need to gain and keep. Curls & Character helps the students know their own worth. During the meetings, the girls talk about the health of their hair and the different products everyone uses. They also talk about the ups and downs of life in order to grow into exceptional women. As a member of the group, I feel that being in this group allows me to share my emotions without being judged. The growth in the girls comes from the inside out. Kyleigh Johnson said, “This group makes me feel like I can actually open up and talk to people.”
A strong sisterhood has been formed among Curls & Character members, because the faith they gain in themselves, motivates them to push other girls to feel the same hope. The now sisters have discovered a uniqueness in each other, that they didn’t know before. Their friendship makes their days at Hopewell High School easier. Curls & Character has taught them to be strong together.
Every girl in the group was picked for a specific reason. Ms. Sommer Jones, the sponsor and founder of the group says, “Although over 75 girls expressed initial interest in the program, we really wanted to lead small with the first cohort. After a tedious application and interview process, the current group of young ladies were selected based on their unique attributes, diverse personal experiences, and their hunger and desire to be the best versions of themselves they can be.” Members of the group include: Ma’Chelle Davis, Tiara DeBeary, Ke’ivanna Godette, Princess Hopson, Eboni Johnson, Kyleigh Johnson, Trinity Johnson, Idayziah Jones, Ariana Lawson, Jazmin Skinner, Jasmine Tucker, Indacia Turner, Janiya Washington, Asia Moore and Quaniya Whitaker. The loyalty of the members has been wonderful because each girl is invested in the process.
Jones went on to say, “There was an overwhelming need for female mentorship and connection as these young ladies navigated through the emotional ups and downs of their high school journey. It is now a safe space for HHS girls to connect, share their voices, strengthen their character, and of course, talk about all things hair!” She says, “I feel extremely proud of how much my ladies have grown in their personal confidence and sense of self-worth. The girls have been there for one another through their celebrations and hardships. We are not just a club or program, we are family.”