Experience my fight to end the rise of cosmetic su

Greetings everyone! My name is Carly Stonehouse and I am in 11th grade. For my AP Language and Composition class, we have a project that consists of us researching and doing a implementation in our community on a topic. I chose the topic of cosmetic surgery in our youth. Studies show that there has been a rise in cosmetic surgery because of outside pressures such as societal (body image and low self esteem). Help me fight this uprising epidemic by spreading awareness of this issue, and providing support to people you know of this problem.

[cosmeticsurgeryinyouth-blog]

5/31 Before and After!! I officially finished my petition today! I walked around the school and my classes, explained to each person who was signing it my views on the topic, the exceptions to the law I want to be passed, and answered any questions they had on the issue. I was actually annoyed to discover that some of the unlikely people that I talked to, knew of people who would of been good SMEs! Who new! Showed me a real life example of not to "judge a book by its cover." You can't tell in the photo, but my after shot of the petition was a packet and had signatures on all three pages! Yay me! My fear of not getting anyone to sign my petition or agree with what I was fighting for, now looked to be a silly fear! My next part in my plan is to mail it off the old fashion way to the Center of Plastic Surgery (CPS) and see if I get a response! I plan on doing that Monday morning, bright and early! Wish me luck! I was really happy with how both of my implementations turned out. They met my goals of making awareness and informing our community, while also trying to make a difference, with flying colors! I finally feel that all the effort I put into this project is finally paid off, and now I can focus on making a awesome presentation for next Wednesday! So I'm happy to say.... SUCCESS!!!! I'm almost done, but not quite. I still plan on putting more updates on how the making of my presentation went. So in other words, I'll keep you updated!!! :)

[cosmeticsurgeryinyouth-blog]

5/31 SUCCESS!!!! Well almost. I finally uploaded my opinion article on the Oakton Outlook website today. This is my first part of my implementation. I was really happy with how it turned out. The article represents one of my main goals- putting awareness on the topic. By writing a opinion article in a well renowned newsmagazine, I will be able to achieve one of my hopes for the project by making awareness for this topic in our community, and to my main audience. This part of my implementation further promoted my accomplish of my project. It put me to my second to last step before I can officially say SUCCESS!!! (And mean it!) I'll keep you updated!!!

[cosmeticsurgeryinyouth-blog]

I found these when researching more on cosmetic surgery. These diagrams were in a news article done by Lois M. Collins from Deseret News! Although, the source does say its from American Society of Plastic Surgery. The pictures are both very informative and very scary... Look at them numbers!! I'll keep you updated!!!

[cosmeticsurgeryinyouth-blog]

(2/6/13) For week 1 Mrs. Blankenship!

Flash back to the beginning of the project journal& implementation log. Our first task that we did with this was in class. We had to state our hopes and fears for the project! Yay to me for making my hopes for the project come true. Yay to me for not letting my fears end up affecting my project! I'll update you soon on my implementation in my community, my petition and article on the Oakton Outlook is coming soon!

I'll keept you updated!!

[cosmeticsurgeryinyouth-blog]

"God gave us intestines for a reason. I'm not keen on surgery. It's too extreme. All it took was one of those plastic surgery shows to see how violent it is."

Kirstie Alley

www.brainyquote.com

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"I wish I had a twin so I would know what I looked like without plastic surgery."

Joan Rivers

www.brainyquotes.com

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UPDATE #2

5/24/13

As I celebrate my 17th birthday today, I feel more mature and aware of myself. Well actually not really. But, I did realise I have been obscuring a few key things for my project goal.

For my ad that I discussed in my last update, the ad will just be a physical representation to go with a mini article that explains whats going on, talks about statistics and etc. It will be a visual representation of what can come with too much plastic surgery. It will be a way to inform and persuade teenagers at our school that it is not worth spending the money, or the time of plastic surgery! I'm planning on some kind of PG-13 disturbing photo that will make them be like "WOAH! Thats not for me." Lets scare them out of wanting cosmetic surgery!

By making this ad, I believe this process with help my overall project goal. The ad will give my overall project more credibility by having a visual and a written implementation, showing that I am putting in the work and I'm trying to come up with a unique way of achieving my goal.

For my petition, I am still in the process of writing it. After getting the email from my teacher about my first few journal entries, she brought up to my attention of a great idea. Putting the petition online! Why didn't I think of that?

My plan was to always do it the old fashion way, print it out and walk around the school begging for signatures. But what a better way to get the whole community to involved; and hopefully to sign it! I'm not really sure how I'm going to do this whole online thing yet, so my plan is to seek some help from a tech-savvy individual. That will most likely be my next step. By putting the petition both online and on paper, I definitely think it will help my progress and not hinder it. But then, there is always the scary thought that no one will want to sign it. Yikes!

But lets think positive thoughts! And while were thinking, lets think of other ways to help the cosmetic surgery cause. Or atleast thats what I plan to do.  Enjoy your Memorial day weekend! I know I will :)

I'll keep you updated!!

[cosmeticsurgeryinyouth-blog]

05/20/13

Today I went to the Center of Plastic Surgery with my Mom for one of her appointments. I was able to talk to a specialist there and learn more about the variety of cosmetic surgeries you can have done; both minor and major! She reflects back on her experiences she has had in her line of work which was very interesting to hear! Overall I think it was a beneficial trip to have made! I learned even more about cosmetic surgery through some free pamphlets located in the office and gained more knowledge that I believe will help me write my petition!

I am still waiting for Barbara Sheer to get back in touch with me, but I still feel good about the progress I made so far! I'll keep you updated

[cosmeticsurgeryinyouth-blog]

UPDATE #1

5/16/13

So, as of right now, I am getting back in touch with Dr. French (Cosmetic Surgeon) and Dr. Barbara Sheer (Psychiatrist). I'm waiting to get their responses to a few questions before I start the writing of my petition. 

I'm starting to get really excited about these implementation ideas I have so far. I think that by getting this information from both of my SMEs I'll be able to sound more credible and informed about how other people dealing with this problem feel. So as of right now, I am at a stand still for this 1st part to my implementation. 

But, I have started on the AD tonight for the newspaper. I'm designing a cool image to put with my article to get awareness. I want it to pop off the page/website, and make them want to read it! 

So far I'm making a slow but steady process to my goal. I believe once I achieve some responses and finish my design, that I will be at least 1/3 way to the end!

I'll keep you updated!! 

[cosmeticsurgeryinyouth-blog]

How about some music that shows the amount of cosmetic surgery some people go through in order to get beautiful? 

Here is a secret, you ARE beautiful without the cosmetic surgery!! No matter who you are.

Be happy and cosmetic surgery free!!

I'll Keep you posted!

[cosmeticsurgeryinyouth-blog]

Celebrities and how they perceive cosmetic surgery

5/16/13

As I was trying to show below, cosmetic surgery is a big deal. Not only to me, but other people all over the world. 

Jane Seymour and Calvin Klein have their own take on cosmetic surgery. Jane realizes the impact its has on the youth and Calvin Klein realizes the stupidity of the entire thing. Don't use cosmetic surgery as your "easy way out" or a way to "not be bored."

These were common things said by Pete Burns, who has come out to show the world what an addiction can do to you. He started at a young age and because of the amount of surgeries he has done, he now has to keep doing them to help his physical health. 

Take these examples to use for your motivation to help stop this! Don't let anyone end up like Pete Burns!

I'll keep you updated!

[cosmeticsurgeryinyouth-blog]

"I personally would not have plastic surgery. What the hell for? It looks ridiculous."

CALVIN KLEIN 

www.brainyquotes.com 

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"I find it interesting that 16-year-olds are having plastic surgery. People in their 40s used to think, 'I'm aging, I have to do something about it.' Now children are deciding they don't like the way they look."

JANE SEYMOUR

www.brainyquote.com

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Two of the most INTERESTING things I have learned through my topic

3/15/13

Through my research of my topic so far, I have learned about some crazy things. I learned about different types of cosmetic surgery that I have NEVER heard of before. Some of the surgeries that people get commonly through out the United States are Dimpleplasty, Abdominal etching, and even Asian Blepharoplasty. I didn't know those surgeries were even possible, or at least they were only "in the movies." 

I also learned about families and people who originate around cosmetic surgery. If not for themselves, at least for their families. Most of these spur from family member's experiences negative societal pressures when they were young. There are cases where the adults in the families influence or even pressure their children because of their own body image and self-esteem issues. 

Its safe to say I'm appalled so far. Learning about these stories is only motivating me more to get working on my implementation in my community. I already am starting to work on my Ad/ article for the Oakton Outlook newspaper. I'm working for it to go in the June issue, but if not it will be going online very soon! 

I'll keep you posted!

[cosmeticsurgeryinyouth-blog]

and so it begins...

5/14/13

Hello everyone!!

So as I stated in my description, I am a High School student trying to make a change. My research topic I am researching and try to help in my community is cosmetic surgery in our youth. 

My goal for this project is to make a change and create awareness for this rising epidemic. I want to make every student in my school, or maybe even a larger audience, feel comfortable with who they are and stop this plaguing mind set that youth HAVE to undergo plastic surgery to fit in today's society. 

I have two implementation ideas I plan to do. I plan on writing a petition to the Center of Plastic Surgery (CPS) that restricts any patient under the age of 21 to not be able to undergo cosmetic surgery, regardless of the guardians approval. The only exception to this would be if the individual has a medical issue or is severely injured. I would argue in the petition that at our age, our youth is developing emotionally and physically, and it is unjust to allow children to undergo these life changing surgeries for minor imperfections. 

I also plan to writing a ad/article in our school newspaper, the Oakton Outlook, that allows our school and community to become aware of this world-wide problem. 

I don't expect this issue to completely end by the end of my project, I plan to expect this issue to have more awareness. I plan to try and make a difference. 

I plan to make a change. Follow me on my journey to making a stop to cosmetic surgery in our youth!

[cosmeticsurgeryinyouth-blog]

My project proposal process

4/5/13

What has been my process?

How has your thinking on the process changed?

What has been the best feedback ?

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The overall experience of the project proposal process has been overwhelming. I have been trying to take the time to edit and look over a different section of my proposal draft each day. I have been researching and devising different implementation opportunities for my area. I have been speaking with different students to see what they think of my thinking for my topic, and the whole project proposal process. After receiving criticism and commentary from some of my peers on the legibility or credibility of my thinking, my thoughts have changed. 

I originally believed the whole cosmetic surgery to be a problem but not a huge catastrophe. While I still believe that to be a strong use of diction to describe this epidemic, it still is a BIGGER and WIDER problem then I thought it was. After reading more stories, I've begun to become even more and more negative about the whole cosmetic surgery. 

My best feedback so far is from Haili Hartman. She is a Junior College student at JMU University and she gave me an example of someone in my age group involved in my topic. Haili provided me with a social and collegiate perspective on how girls perceive body image and the use of cosmetic surgery. She was important because I finally found someone willing to speak of this epidemic and the appeal they find in wanting to get cosmetic surgery. 

So far so good, I'll keep you posted!

[cosmeticsurgeryinyouth-blog]

The creation of my first Annotated Bibliography

2/26/13

Throughout the creation of my Annotated Bibliography, I used the SIRS Researcher like recommended by my teacher, Mrs. Blankenship. The database was very useful. It provided me with images, newspaper and magazine articles, newsletters, government websites and pamphlets, as well as many others.

Going through through all topic results when I looked up "Body image in the youth" was actually overwhelming and stressful. There was over 200 results to look for in only one media source category. However, I was very grateful for the variety I had for my topic. Especially, after hearing about how other student's had little to none reliable sources for their topic.

When actually writing my annotations, the process was lengthy and difficult for me. Summarizing all the information and defining what my perspectives were (scientific, psychological, personal, etc.) was also difficult because in my eyes, I could classify them under multiple perspectives.

But, when I went to the writing center, I got help on this problem and the identification of another problem I have. I learned that I tend to just state facts from the annotation and I do not add enough commentary. I plan to use this knowledge when I further create my Annotated Bibliography.