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Every Body's Beautiful 2013 Essay Contest Winners

May 2013 – Eating Disorders Resource Center (EDRC) names student winners for its fourth annual Every Body’s Beautiful Essay Contest. The contest gave local middle and high school students the opportunity to answer the following questions in 500 words: What do you love about yourself? Why should others love and accept themselves? How does the mass media affect your body image, and how do you deal with this?

(Photo: High school winners, Sabina Ma and Christine Qin, were awarded their checks at the AAUW's Strong Girls, Strong Women Conference. Darcie Green and Janice Bremis are also featured. Shannon O'Hara, second place winner, was unable to attend the event. )

62 students from 38 schools throughout Silicon Valley participated in the contest. Volunteer judges scored the essays based on how well students answered questions, their voice and use of language, organization of paragraphs, and writing mechanics. Judges included Darcie Green, Kaiser; Mary Gottschalk, Bay Area News Group; Joe Rodriguez, Mercury News; Louise Persson, AAUW; Khalida Sarwari, Campbell Reporter; and Carmine Drohan. First place winners were awarded a cash prize of $300; second place earned $200; and third place winners received $100.

High school winners received their awards and were publically recognized on May 4th during the first ever Strong Girls, Strong Women Leadership Conference hosted the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the Santa Clara County Office of Women’s Policy. Middle school participants will be awarded cash prizes this month at a location still to be determined. EDRC would like to thank all participating students, teachers, school administrators, and volunteer judges for helping make the event a success. A special thank you goes out to Kristen Lohse, volunteer Project Coordinator, who made the entire process run smoothly and efficiently.

High School Winners:

First Place: Christine Qin, Grade 12, Milpitas High School, Milpitas

Second Place: Shannon O'Hara, Grade 9, Archbishop Mitty High School, San Jose

Third Place: Sabrina Ma, Grade 11, Independence High School, San Jose

Middle School Winners:

First Place: Victoria Huynh, Grade 8, Thomas Russell Middle School, Milpitas

Second Place: Nazel Camille Flores, Grade 8, Rancho Milpitas Middle School, Milpitas

Third Place: Andres Rocha, Grade 8, Adelante Dual Language Academy, San Jose

“What is truly beautiful is the inner light that shines from within: personality and talent. We are all uniquely special in one way, gifted with certain skills others do not have that make us exceptional, and thus beautiful.” –Christine Qin, 1st place winner, Milpitas High School

“Beautiful is being yourself in the most unique, unusual way. Beauty doesn’t depend on what kind of clothes you wear or the color of your eyes. Beauty lies in everyone’s soul, no matter who you are.” –Victora Huynh, 1st place winner, Thomas Russell Middle School

EDRC Participates in Spring Lobby Day

EDRC volunteer Emily Caruthers, LMFT, participated in the Eating Disorder Coalition’s (EDC) Spring Lobby day on April 17th in Washington, DC. Emily and over 100 participants educated the House and Senate offices on eating disorders, gained new sponsors for the FREED Act, and built relationships with Congress. Specifically, the EDC met with staffers from the following offices: Senator Ron Wyden (OR), Congressman Brad Sherman (CA), Congressman Peter DeFazio (OR), and Congressman Jared Huffman (CA). Representative Ted Deutch (FL) agreed to introduce the FREED Act and to champion for those with eating disorders. To view the congressional briefing, click here.

Your voice matters – learn more about how to get involved here.

EDRC Participates in AAUW's Strong Girls, Strong Women Leadership Conference

On May 4th, over 300 young ladies and women met at the Mexican Heritage Plaza for the Strong Girls, Strong Women LeadershipConference presented by AAUW San Jose and SCC Office of Women's Policy. The event was a success and has already received a lot of positive feedback. Activities included the screening of the documentary Miss Representation; the Every Body's Beautiful Essay Contest winner announcement and award presentation; various breakout workshops on advocacy and positive self image; and a panel of local girls who shared projects they created to improve our community. EDRC volunteers were in attendance, including Tushita Gupta, a junior at Evergreen Valley High School. Tushita assisted Terryann Sanders, MFT, and Ariel Whitlock, MFT, in the workshop titled "What's a Girl to Believe? Choosing a Positive Body Image." Thanks to Terryann and Ariel for speaking and sharing about EDRC resources! For more information on Body Image and to see a photo taken at the workshop, visit Terryann's site here.

Center for Discovery 1 Year Anniversary

Center for Discovery will be celebrating their 1 year anniversary on June 14th! For more information, view flyer. All are welcome!

San Francisco NEDA walk in June

Don't miss San Francisco's National Eating Disorders Awareness Walk on June 8th at Golden Gate Park! Help contribute to eating disorders prevention, research, and recovery by donating, participating as a walker or volunteer, or helping spread the word about the event. Click here for more information.

Star Power Recap NEDA Walk

October 2012 - Janice Bremis, executive director of the Eating Disorders Resource Center, reports that the group's fundraising walk -- held Sept. 22 in downtown San Jose -- was a resounding success. It raised more than $27,000, beating the $25,000 goal for the first-time event, and Bremis gives a lot of credit to some special guests, former "Growing Pains" star Tracey Gold and her husband Roby Marshall.

EDRC Kicks the "First Goal" at the San Jose Earthquakes Game

The Eating Disorder Resource Center (EDRC) was excited to have Kristin Stary , EDRC Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator for La Ventana Treatment Programs, kick the "First Goal” at the San Jose Earthquakes soccer game on Saturday, August 11^th.

Bremis a Driving Force for Eating Disorders Education, Support

May 2012 - Janice Bremis, 56, oversees an approximately $120,000 budget, one paid employee, and more than 50 volunteers as the founder and executive director of the Eating Disorders Resource Center in Campbell. READ MORE...

EDRC Presents Every Body's Beautiful Essay Contest Winners

May 2012 – Today Eating Disorders Resource Center (EDRC) named student winners for its third annual Every Body’s Beautiful Essay Contest. Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente San Jose and Macy’s, the contest gave local students the opportunity to discuss what is beautiful about them. Winners from local Silicon Valley middle and high schools are listed below.