Beauty can often be a difficult topic to touch on, mainly due to the different societal standards presented in culture or through all forms of media. These standards can lead to widespread negativity, which pressures young girls to feel a certain way about themselves, internally and physically. It is more difficult to improve your self-esteem, especially when you don’t know where to start.
To act on this issue, the newly founded Beauty Club established by junior president Betshada Francisque, who wanted to do what she “loves” and is “passionate about the most in our school,” adding that it is “filled with beauty all around it; physical, inner, cultural, emotional, artistic,” explaining that many people struggle to see the schools beauty, which was how the club began.
The club also consists of junior vice president Jazlyne Ruggiero, junior secretary Destiny Le, and senior treasurer Abigail Glaude as officers. The club’s main focus is to support each other by “creating a sisterhood” bond, states Ruggiero.
Additionally, it is a safe space to build confidence, learn beauty-related topics, find new friendships, work on challenges, and grow as women inside and out. Overall, they want to make sure every girl feels seen and able to be the best version of themselves. Ruggiero also highlighted, “We believe that confidence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build and grow.”
Together, they “hope to gather more people to the club,” so they can foster a community where the officers and members can learn to “show love” to themselves and others, commented secretary Le, with Francisque wanting the club to further expand even after she graduates.
Since the club is still new and is finding ways to grow, they have not been able to officially plan events. However, to raise money for supplies, future activities, and to “buy beauty products to eventually send to shelters,” noted president Francisque, the club is currently planning on hosting bake sales and self-care days as fundraisers, as well as accepting donations. The club is also aiming to provide more volunteering activities for the members, “and helping out in the community when [they] can,” remarked Glaude, who manages the club’s finances.
Member junior, Christie Gerbier, who found out about Beauty Club through social media, highlighted that so far “the club has caught the attention of a lot of people and has amazing potential.” She believes that this club is important at Malden High, as it is a relevant topic that addresses a widespread issue amongst teens today.
Another member, junior Rosalyn Ruan, voiced that the club is significant, as it serves a purpose to promote self-love and inner beauty. “I know students often struggle with their self-image, and so, this club really shines light on this topic and also provides a good way to improve our mental health,” concluded Ruan.
The club meets almost every Thursday at 2:30 in room B330 on blue days. For more information, follow their Instagram @mhs.beautyclub and join their Google Classroom using the code stso2mkk.
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