Meet Caroline.

I was going to write a non-important blog post tonight linking up with Neely from A Complete Waste of Makeup discussing all the things I'm forgiving myself for this week including my refusal to fold laundry tonight (I totally just started the dryer again...). Then I logged onto my blog Facebook page and read an awesome message from a proud mom in Norfolk, Virginia. I knew I had to write about it.

So, on this Thursday evening, I think it is OK to...

-admire someone I don't know.

I don't know about y'all, but I remember high school as being intimidating. I felt like I was in a constant battle to fit in and stand out all at the same very time. I--without sacrificing my morals (often)-- did what I needed to do to keep the mean girls away. I tried to survive and enjoy.

What I didn't do:

I did not pick a controversial issue and discuss it in front of 350 of my peers. 

The Grell Family

Meet Caroline.

This beauty is a senior at a private school in Norfolk, Virginia, and was required to stand in front of her peers and give a persuasive speech to the members of the Upper School. On Monday of this week, Caroline stood in front of about 350 people and discussed the need for a ban that would prevent minors from using public tanning beds. Caroline, someone I had never heard of before tonight, shared my experience with melanoma during her speech. Afterwards, Caroline told her mom that girls walked up to her and said they would never go to a tanning salon again. Teachers even asked Ms. Caroline for copies of her speech so that they could forward it on to their own young daughters who still seek that dangerous tan.

Caroline's mom, Debbie, sent me a message tonight to share her daughter's speech with me and to say, " I just thought you might like to know that your story helped spread the word about tanning salons and the dangers of skin cancer." As soon as I read the message, I quickly read it to Mr. Spots, and then I responded with a sincere thank you for Caroline's brave efforts and for contacting me. Through our chit chat, I learned that Caroline received an A on her paper and also has created quite the "buzz" among the students. Thinking back to my own high school days, I truly believe Caroline was brave to speak against something that teenagers love: their tans.

Debbie wrote to me that she reminds Caroline, "Never pass up the opportunity to let someone know they have inspired you!"

Tonight, Caroline, you have inspired me. 

From melanoma warriors all over the world, thank you.



*A special thanks to Debbie for contacting me and allowing me to share this with my readers!

Dear Miss Chelsea

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Have you watched Dear 16-Year-Old Me? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4jgUcxMezM&feature=share

Seriously, you need to watch this video. Then you need to immediately share it on Facebook, Twitter, and email it to your loved ones. It's a MUST see and a MUST share. 

I had to ask myself, what would I tell the 16-year-old Chelsea?

* You are 16, little girl. Not 25.

* Don't quit cheerleading just because you transferred schools. 

* Listen to your older sister. She has been there.

* Pay attention to that psychology teacher who believed in you enough to add you to her class a year early.

* There is no hiding your first hangover from your parents.

* Next time someone asks, "Do you ever see the sunlight?" don't feel offended. Your skin is beautiful.

* Be a kid.

* Your little sister looks up to you. Be careful.

* Those hours on ICQ and AIM leave wonderful memories; however, they don't help with you SAT score.

* Embrace the flat iron, or don't cut your hair that short. It's curly. It shrinks.

* Dump him. Life is too short to date a bully.

* Eyebrow waxing is a wonderful thing. 

* Your parents aren't the enemies.

* Don't stop running. It is the one part of PE class you're good at.

* Mental Health days end up being awesome memories. (Just don't take too many of them!)

* That girl who picks on you and puts gum in your hair? Ignore her. It isn't worth it. 

* I know the beach is fun. Enjoy it. Add sunscreen.

* Spend as much time on your homework as you do writing notes to your girlfriends.

* When a stranger tells you to go have a mole checked, go.

* Keep your childhood friends close to you. However, know that people change. Accept it without allowing it to ruin the friendship.

* Stay out of the freaking tanning bed. You knooooow it isn't good for you.

* Listen to your daddy. Stop rushing through life.

* Your pale skin and dark hair make you stand out. Embrace them.

 

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What would YOU tell your 16-year-old self?