Miss America, Search for Teen Wellness Leaders
Category: Lifestyle, Women Business
“It’s so important that we start taking care of our bodies at a young age so that we can live healthier lives with bright futures for the next generation,” said Miss America 2008 Kristen Haglund in a news release. She is searching for teens across the United States who are promoting health and wellness among their peers and community.
The contest will award one teen from each of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia for making a positive difference in a major way. Each selected Teen Wellness Leader will receive a $1,000 scholarship, a $1,000 grant for his or her local YMCA AND the chance to be featured in Newsweek.
Ms. Haglund, who struggled with an eating disorder as a teen, knows how hard it is to be healthy. During a phone interview with jacksonsun.com, she said, “I personally struggled with an eating disorder. I was anorexic for a long time. My disorder started when I was about 12 years old. When I was 15, going on 16, I got on a path to recovery. It wasn’t easy. It was a horrible time in my life. My eating disorder took away so many of my dreams.
When you have an eating disorder, you’re starving your body. You become depressed. You isolate yourself. You live in a very lonely, dark world. I didn’t want to live there. I made the decision to be healthy.
I want people to know that an eating disorder is not a glamorous illness. It is a serious illness. We need to realize that none of us are perfect. We all have flaws. We need to be open about these things and encourage one another.”
Ms. Haglund, who was crowned Miss America in January, working with the program’s sponsor, Amway Global, a direct selling company which teamed up with the YMCA of America to begin the search.
Visit www.inspirewellness.com for more info. The nomination period ends December 1, 2008 at 10 p.m. EST.
Tags: Amway, eating disorder, Kristen Haglund, Miss America, Search for Teen Wellness Leaders, Women Health, YMCA
