Latest news with #LebanonValleyCollege
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
4 Signs Your LGBTQ+ Feels Supported at Home
Fact checked by Sarah Scott Pride Month is in full swing, and with it comes the great joy and privilege of supporting LGBTQ+ family and friends. In families with LGBTQ+ children, this time of year is incredibly special and affirming; parents have the opportunity to support their LGBTQ+ children even more loudly and proudly. As anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric continues to make waves, it's more important than ever to support our LGBTQ+ children. Studies have shown that an overwhelming 82% of LGBTQ+ teens want people to support and accept them—and 68% hope for the creation of safe spaces where they can be themselves. While this doesn't seem like a high bar to clear for supportive parents, some may wonder: Are there any outward signs that their LGBTQ+ children feel supported at home? Parents spoke to mental health experts to find out the four biggest identifiers that your LGBTQ+ child feels supported at home. This sign is the biggest and most important indicator of whether your LGBTQ+ child feels supported. If your child seems comfortable coming to you with their thoughts and worries about their identity, your support system at home is strong, says Jeremy R. Goshorn, PhD, LCMHC (NC), LPC (PA), NCC, CFT, Assistant Professor at Lebanon Valley College. 'Fostering open, honest, communication within the family is vital. The only way to know if your child feels supported is to ask,' he explains. This doesn't just work in favor of your family cohesiveness; affirming communities have been found to be protective against suicidal ideation in LGBTQ+ youths. Let's face it: kids can be hard to engage sometimes, making verbal communication a challenge. But body language can say a lot, says Laura Erickson-Schroth, MD, MA, Chief Medical Officer of The Jed Foundation.'Body language can tell you a lot. Uncrossed arms or legs often indicate a feeling of comfort,' she explains. Keeping an eye on how your child is holding themselves: if their body language is tense, you might need to sit down and have an open conversation about how they're feeling. LGBTQ+ folks don't just come out once: they often come out dozens of times as life goes on. Because the world assumes that all people are heteronormative and cisgenger, kids can often be on the back foot when talking about their relationships and identity. But LGBTQ+ children who feel supported can be excited to tell their parents about crucial realizations and developments in their lives. 'When a young person feels at ease being open about their identity with their parents or guardians, they might casually share significant life updates during everyday conversation – things like joining the GSA at school or having a crush on someone in their class,' Dr. Erickson-Scroth says. Remember, LGBTQ+ children experience stigma in their daily lives, so if you're hearing about everything from the littlest alteration up to the biggest life-changing event, that's a sign they feel supported. When an LGBTQ+ child feels supported and safe, they can express their unique styles freely. Whether their identities are reflected in their use of pronouns, clothing, makeup, or hair styles, children who feel safe shine authentically, says Dr. Erickson-Schroth. And this also extends to activities that might traditionally feel 'gendered,' like playing with dolls or trucks. 'Make your home a place where your child can be themselves and express their identity authentically, ensuring no games or clothes are off-limits for gendered reasons,' she affirms. Your child should feel safe to express themselves, and when they do, you can know they are comfortable and supported in your home. At the end of the day, it's important to make your LGBTQ+ child feel safe and supported. But let's face it: sometimes it can be hard to know what to do and say, especially when the world seems to be moving 1000 MPH at all times. Here are some suggestions from the experts: Start learning about LGBTQ+ issues: Read about LGBTQ+ topics and make it clear to your child you want to know more and want to advocate for them, says Dr. Erickson-Schroth. Keep your eyes open: Be aware that outward projection could be a mask, says Dr. Goshorn, but creating an inclusive environment and welcoming atmosphere, like hanging Pride flags and encouraging open communication, helps to mitigate those issues. Find local support groups: Dr. Goshorn suggests Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), where parents can meet other parents of LGBTQ+ youth. Use : Swap out 'girlfriend/boyfriend' for 'partner,' suggests Dr. Erickson-Schroth. Seek outside counseling–for you: Learn effective strategies for supporting your child, including fostering open communication, says Dr. Goshorn. Give yourself grace: Just showing up for your child matters! Remember, no parent is perfect, and that's okay, affirms Dr. Erickson-Schroth. Read the original article on Parents
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
TikTok Bans #SkinnyTok, But Experts Say More Is Needed
TikTok recently announced that it blocked search results for the hashtag #SkinnyTok due to its association with unhealthy weight loss content. The ban occurred after several European policymakers began investigating the app's impact on youth mental health. In the U.S., eating disorder experts say the ban is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to stop the glamorization of weight loss. "It will help by making a statement," says Stephanie Michele, an intuitive eating coach and co-host of the podcast Life After Diets. "When bigger systems call out a social trend as harmful, and change their rules around how that trend is available, it sends a message. It's a short-term win." The issue, says Michele, is that this type of content is likely to reappear under a different hashtag. "The root issues like systemic fatphobia, beauty privilege, and social media algorithms that reward thinness still need to be addressed," she says. Banning a hashtag seems like a step in the right direction, says Cynthia Vejar, PhD, the director and associate professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lebanon Valley College. "It shows that platforms are trying to take some responsibility for the kind of content they allow and promote. Removing this specific tag may minimize how easily users can engage with triggering or harmful content." Still, Vejar cautions that bans can backfire since there's a natural human tendency to be curious about what's off-limits. "Bans can unintentionally make something more appealing just because it's taboo. Especially online, internet users can code [their] language and create secret communities to sidestep bans.""A once-banned term gets replaced by another. It might be #fitspo this week and #almondmomcore the next. What [isn't changing] is the underlying value system—that thinness equals worth. Until that changes, the harmful messaging will keep popping up under different names."Even without #SkinnyTok, Vejar explains that they may use different spellings, new hashtags, or code words. Moreover, this ban scratches the surface of a much bigger issue: TikTok's algorithm doesn't rely on hashtags alone. According to Michele, if someone engages with body-centric content once, they're often fed more of it, whether the label is banned or not. So, teens may still be seeing harmful messaging about weight and body types. "Language evolves quickly in these online spaces," says Michele. "A once-banned term gets replaced by another. It might be #fitspo this week and #almondmomcore the next. What [isn't changing] is the underlying value system—that thinness equals worth. Until that changes, the harmful messaging will keep popping up under different names." Social media didn't invent body image issues, but it absolutely amplifies them, says Michele. "It can be especially dangerous when it reinforces a false sense of virtue, like when restrictive eating or compulsive exercise is framed as 'wellness' or 'discipline.' That kind of content is everywhere, and it gets disguised as empowerment." Disordered eating is also easy to disguise, says Alyson Curtis, LMHC, a licensed therapist specializing in eating disorders, binge eating, emotional eating, and body image concerns. "You've got young people, influencers, and [other people] promoting low-calorie 'WIEIAD' (what I eat in a day) videos, or boasting about losing X amount of weight in X amount of time, and the content all flies under the radar. " According to Curtis, this happens because the definition of disordered eating isn't widely established, creating an uphill battle for professionals to spread correct information. "We're up against industries that not only want, but need, a new generation of young [people] to become obsessed with how they look, with feeling inferior, so that they become lifetime buyers of their products." While most experts agree that the #SkinnyTok ban is a step in the right direction, they say much more needs to be done. To start, Michele says platforms like TikTok need to take more responsibility for the content their algorithms push. Once someone has viewed enough weight loss content, or #SkinnyTok posts, they will continue receiving those messages from similar content or hashtags. "We also need larger media and marketing to change," she says. "That includes more diverse body representation in movies and television and advertisements; better education on the biology of appetite and weight; and less emphasis on weight loss as the end-all-be-all overall." She also notes that eating disorders don't always look like extreme thinness. "Most disordered eating lives in people who appear normal or even healthy by societal standards, and they're often praised for it," she explains. Teachers and school administrators also need to have honest conversations about body image and mental health, and do more to educate young people about media literacy, says Vejar. "Media literacy should be included in the curriculum so kids can better understand how content is filtered and unrealistic." Curtis agrees. Children need to learn that some online content can be predatory, especially if it promotes thinness, disordered eating, and ultimately that they are not enough, she says. "If you're a young person and you have never been educated on the predatory nature of these practically immediately indoctrinated into a cultural value of—be pretty for us, be cool, be thin," she says. "Young people so badly want to be cool and to fit in. The initiation into this warped cultural value is essentially seamless." Vejar recommends having open, honest, judgment-free conversations with your kids. "Ask questions, but also listen, and be present and supportive." Focus on how your child feels, not how they look. Instead of saying, 'You look so skinny in that outfit,' try saying, 'You look happy,' or 'You seem confident today.' Here are some additional things you can do: Get professional help early if you suspect a problem. Therapists, dietitians, or healthcare providers who specialize in eating disorders can be crucial to your child's recovery, says Vejar. Model healthy behavior. Your kids notice if you obsess about weight or make negative body comments. "If they hear you criticizing your body or glorifying restraint, they're learning that message, too," says Michele. Educate yourself. Vejar suggests learning the warning signs and understanding the mental health side of disordered eating so you can get help and intervention when needed. Monitor social media. Be aware of what kind of content your child is exposed to online, suggests Vejar. Talk to them about what they are watching and how it makes them feel. Be curious but not controlling. According to Michele, eating behaviors are usually a symptom of something else, and the goal is to build trust so your child can let you in. Allow them to talk freely without judgment and help them find tools that will help them recover. Expose them to positive messages. Curtis says she recalls reading interviews with Kate Winslet when she was a teen battling an eating disorder. "Her sole voice, advocating for body diversity and acceptance, kept me from truly diving into an irrevocable descent with my eating."If you or a loved one are coping with an eating disorder, contact the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Helpline for support at 1-800-931-2237 or text NEDA to the original article on Parents
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scholastic Superstars: Matthew Vecolitis, Tamaqua
What accomplishments are you most proud of and why? Being selected to 5 different honor societies and being the Tamaqua Class of 2025 Treasurer, because they are accomplishments that are a reflection of the hard work and dedication I have put in. What were your most rewarding school or community activities? Participating in the St. Luke's Miners Mentorship program and winning one of the scholarships in the program, because it was an opportunity that I was presented with and it paid off as I was rewarded. Also winning the 2024 Schuylkill League Baseball Championship, because our team reached our goal after working hard all season. Matthew Vecolitis (SUBMITTED) What do you do in your spare time? I love to play and watch sports. What are your plans after high school graduation? I plan to attend Lebanon Valley College to major in Physical Therapy. I chose this path because of my interest in sports and the health sciences. What do you see yourself doing and where do you see yourself living in 15 years? I see myself working as a Physical Therapist with a sports team, and living somewhere in the eastern region of the United States. Whom do you most admire and why? My parents because they are great people and excellent role models, and I admire how they have raised my brother and I to be the best person we can be. In a sentence, what is your philosophy of life? To always take advantage of your opportunities and give your best effort because they will not always be around forever. Finish this sentence: The most interesting thing about me is … My knowledge of sports A little about Matthew Hometown: Nesquehoning, PA Parents: Anthony and Linda Vecolitis Some Honors Include: National Honor Society, Spanish National Honors Society, Science National Honors Society, Math National Honors Society, English National Honors Society Activities: Class Treasurer, Student Government, Schuylkill Youth Conference, FBLA, St. Luke's Mentorship Program Athletics: Basketball and Baseball Community Service: Youth Sports Camps, Tamaqua Little League, Helps organize the community Safe Trick-or-Treat night His Nominator Said 'As a top-performing student, a dedicated athlete, and an engaged leader in his school and community, he exemplifies the qualities of a well-rounded and inspiring young man … He dedicates his time to volunteering with youth programs, mentoring and inspiring younger children, and serving as a positive role model. His ability to connect with and uplift others reflects his genuine care for his community and desire to make a lasting impact.' Fifteen students were chosen by judges from the community to represent the most accomplished of Schuylkill County's graduating classes as part of the Republican Herald's annual Scholastic Superstars.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Campus note: May 11, 2025
The following area students graduated from the University of Georgia this spring: Anya Muir, Lower Heidelberg Township; Isabella Duddy, Jennifer Gentry and Owen Scargle, Wyomissing; Samantha Drop, Brecknock Township. East Stroudsburg The following area students graduated in May from East Stroudsburg University: Doctor of education: Leigh Gruen, Kempton Master of science: Rebecca Kotula, Wyomissing; Tyler Reitenauer, Kutztown, management & leadership. Francisco Taveras, Muhlenberg Township, exercise science. Norma Zavala, Laureldale, communication sciences & disorders. Master of education: Kylie Redcay, Temple. Master of arts: Dion Thorpe, Shillington, communication. Bachelor of science: Alexander Auguste, Laureldale, finance. Ashlyn Augustine, Alsace Township, marine science. Emilie Bartosh, Maidencreek Township, exercise science. Jennifer Hausman, Bechtelsville; Connie Howland, Brecknock Township, early childhood education. Michael Loera-Castro, Lower Alsace Township, environmental studies. Jordan Moore, West Lawn, communication sciences & disorders. Jennifer Pagan, Breinigsville, athletic training. Joshua Petschelt, Gilbertsville, hotel, restaurant & tourism management. Bachelor of arts: Tatum Kresley, Alburtis, sociology. LVC awards The following area students received awards from Lebanon Valley College this spring: Sara Miller, Boyertown, Financial Executives International Award; Chloe Moser, Boyertown; Beta Beta Beta Freshman Achievement Award in Biology and Freshman Achievement Award in Chemistry; Aaron Weitzel, Reinholds, Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs David V. Rudd Award; Sarah Kramer, Mohrsville, Achievement Scholarship Award in Business Administration; Gwendolyn Sears, Wernersville, Robert A. Nichols III Scholarship; Camryn Cataldi, Exeter Township; Alumni Scholarship and Mund Scholarship. Alyssa Werner, Robesonia, Design, Media, & Technology Academic Excellence Award; Kailey Eckhart, Myerstown, Alumni Scholarship; Hayley Krill, Newmanstown, Cloyd H. Ebersole Scholarship; Marina Biltcliff, Lower Heidelberg Township, Mund Scholarship; Wyatt Martin, Denver, Mathematics Achievement Award; Gracyn Amato, Shillington, Delta Alpha Chapter-Sigma Alpha Iota Award; Kathryn Shanaman, Denver, Arthur L. Peterson Leadership Scholarship; Samantha Miller, Richmond Township, Award for Professionalism and Commitment to the Discipline of Sociology, Robert A. Clay Award in Sociology and Senior Award for Academic Excellence in Sociology. Community service Sarah Kramer, Mohrsville; and Emily Lakin, Exeter Township, received the Gold Community Service Award from Lebanon Valley College. Student leadership The following local Lebanon Valley College received awards for leadership during the past academic year: Chloe Moser, Boyertown, First-Year Student Leader; Gwendolyn Sears, Wernersville, Dean Rosemary Yuhas Award; Kathryn Shanaman, Denver, Robert A. Nichols III Scholarship and Outstanding Programmer of the Year. Alvernia leaders The following area students were honored at Alvernia University's Student Leadership Recognition award ceremony: Mylina Castillo, Reading, Golden Wolf Student Leader of the Year Award; Brooke Hauck, Muhlenberg Township, Resident Assistant of the Year Award; Tyler Johnson, Leesport, Student Government Association Vice President; Kayla Keegan, Morgantown, Registered Student Organization President of the Year Award, Student Occupational Therapy Association; Hailey Keperling, Exeter Township, Service Leadership Award; Megan Kowalick, Lower Heidelberg Township, Academic Success Center Creative Contribution Award; Brian Pascal, Sinking Spring, Student Government Association Secretary and Contemplation Leadership Award; Samantha Stewart, Leesport, Study Group Leader of the Year Award. Ellie Bercume, Mohnton, Golden Guide Impact Award. Literary magazine The following local students had leadership roles in the annual Green Blotter Literary Magazine at Lebanon Valley College: Katherine Buerke, Reading, managing editor; Katelyn Price, Myerstown, Reader Board. Honor societies • Lebanon Valley College inducted the following area students to Delta Alpha Pi honor society: Lauren Hafer, Exeter Township; Kathryn Shanaman, Denver; Jordan Shekalus, Ontelaunee Township, Elena Tulli, North Heidelberg Township. • Geraldy Perez, Reading, was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society at the University of Scranton. Military police Glory Gillen, Robeson Township, a senior criminal justice student at Bob Jones University, Greenville, S.C., will join the Military Police after graduation. Gillen will be commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant. Research shared Andrei Pop, Spring Township, was among a group of students from Belmont University, Nashville, Tenn., joining national efforts to advocate for online safety in youth and presenting their research in Washington. Their research on how social media impacts young people revealed that on average, students opened their first social media accounts around age 13 — some as young as 6. Many respondents also encountered harmful content at early ages, including cyberbullying, unrealistic beauty standards and explicit material. Items are submitted by the colleges involved.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Campus notes: May 4, 2025
John Zappacosta, Exeter Township, earned the Kutztown University Undergraduate Research Series microcredentialing badge this spring. It is awarded to students who dedicate their time to learning about the transformational impact of undergraduate research to academic success and career readiness. Award winner Zayon Cordova Febres, Reading, received the Student Activities Award at Muhlenberg College, Allentown. It recognizes leadership in student activities programming. Scholarship Favian J. Frutos-Corona, Reading, received an award from the Allan Myers Corporate Scholars program at Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport. He is a construction management major.. Honor society • Sophia Horowitz, Cumru Township, was inducted into the Gold Key Honor Society at Emerson College, Boston. • Ashley McVeigh, Gilbertsville, was inducted into Psi Chi psychology honor society at the University of Scranton. • Samantha Goffice, Gilbertsville was inducted into Phi Epsilon Kappa kinesiology honor society at the University of Scranton. • Rylee Mann, a graduate of Schuylkill Valley High School, was inducted into the Alpha Kappa Delta sociology honor society at Lebanon Valley College. Research The following area Lebanon Valley College students displayed their academic and creative work to an audience of faculty, peers, trustees, and administrators during the annual Inquiry Symposium. Jacob Houp, Blandon; Victoria Manmiller, Fleetwood; Jamie Sweigart, Adamstown; Alyssa Wernerl, Robesonia; Ashley Hart, Morgantown; Haley Thunberg, Myerstown; Marina Biltcliff, Lower Heidelberg Township; Ayden Kunkel, Oley; Kathryn Shanaman, Denver; Samantha Miller, Richmond Township. Items are submitted by the colleges involved.
