Spring Break
'Month of Kindness' focuses on fostering positive self-image
Victoria Smey
Issue date: 11/13/09 Section: News
Students Helping to Achieve Positive Esteem distributed "compliment grams" on Wednesday and Thursday as part of UConn's Month of Kindness.
S.H.A.P.E. presented colorful, glittery, geometric shapes with positive messages that were custom-made by students and sent to other students.
"Our group's job is to promote positive body images and educate students about harmful eating disorders. We go to a lot of FYE classes to speak to students about the importance of having positive self-esteem," member Maximilian Thieo said, a 5th-semester English and human development and family studies double major.
"We also address the negative effects that the media can have on students' body image," added Casandra Bonds, a 3rd-semester business major and member of S.H.A.P.E.
S.H.A.P.E set up a table that was sprinkled with blank pieces of construction paper in the Student Union from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
Students could write personalized messages such as "you inspire me" to their friends and embellish their notes with stickers and pipe cleaners. That night, S.H.A.P.E. members e-mailed the recipients to let them know that they could pick up their gram on Thursday at the Union. By Thursday morning, thirty students had already been given a complement gram.
"All of the recipients were so happy. They had huge smiles on their faces," said S.H.A.P.E. member Monica Plucker, a 3rd-semester biology major.
Aimee Rodas, a 5th-semester English major, filled out an anonymous gram.
"I think this person needs to hear something nice," Rodas said. "They need to feel appreciated and know what a wonderful person they are. This type of thing is not done enough these days."
S.H.A.P.E is just one group that hopes kindness will become more widespread and is working to make it happen at UConn. The Month of Kindness is currently being honored by cultural groups, Greek life and health organizations.
S.H.A.P.E. presented colorful, glittery, geometric shapes with positive messages that were custom-made by students and sent to other students.
"Our group's job is to promote positive body images and educate students about harmful eating disorders. We go to a lot of FYE classes to speak to students about the importance of having positive self-esteem," member Maximilian Thieo said, a 5th-semester English and human development and family studies double major.
"We also address the negative effects that the media can have on students' body image," added Casandra Bonds, a 3rd-semester business major and member of S.H.A.P.E.
S.H.A.P.E set up a table that was sprinkled with blank pieces of construction paper in the Student Union from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
Students could write personalized messages such as "you inspire me" to their friends and embellish their notes with stickers and pipe cleaners. That night, S.H.A.P.E. members e-mailed the recipients to let them know that they could pick up their gram on Thursday at the Union. By Thursday morning, thirty students had already been given a complement gram.
"All of the recipients were so happy. They had huge smiles on their faces," said S.H.A.P.E. member Monica Plucker, a 3rd-semester biology major.
Aimee Rodas, a 5th-semester English major, filled out an anonymous gram.
"I think this person needs to hear something nice," Rodas said. "They need to feel appreciated and know what a wonderful person they are. This type of thing is not done enough these days."
S.H.A.P.E is just one group that hopes kindness will become more widespread and is working to make it happen at UConn. The Month of Kindness is currently being honored by cultural groups, Greek life and health organizations.
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Leah Paikin
posted 11/13/09 @ 10:21 AM EST
If you are interested in learning more about S.H.A.P.E. or becoming a S.H.A.P.E. peer educator, you can visit our website www.shape.uconn.edu !
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