The week of February 20 marks the beginning of Academy’s observance of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week on February 20-25. Senior Sophia Baldor, a passionate and determined advocate for Eating Disorder Awareness, will sponsor this event through AHN SADD, Students Against Destructive Decisions. The club plans to create a week filled with activities that will raise awareness.
Despite media focus on this topic, the prevalence of eating disorders among young women remains on the rise. As a school that fosters the growth of young women, Academy holds a special obligation to provide the students with the tools to fight this disease and ward off eating disorder behaviors.
Tuesday will kick off the week with “Turn it out Tuesday.” On this day, all high school girls will flip their clothes inside out, emphasizing that the beauty of individuals comes from the inside out.
On Wednesday, the SADD club, club moderator and health teacher Mrs. Suskauer, and her classes will sponsor a healthy bake sale. Contrary to the fatty baked goods typically expected at a bake sale, the girls will sell healthy alternatives, promoting a fabulous way to listen to your body’s needs and honor its natural hunger. Overall, this will teach students that food should not be treated as an enemy.
On Thursday, every bathroom in the high school will be covered for “Mirror-less Thursday.” This activity will bring attention to the hyper-critical way that we, as women, view our bodies. Absence of mirrors promotes a positive body image because people will lose their ability to nitpick our perceived flaws.
On Friday morning before school the Academy community will publicly reveal its support for Eating Disorder awareness by taking a photo in front of the school. This photo will include a banner bearing words of support for NEDA Week . In the afternoon, an adult speaker and Sophia Baldor will share their remarkable stories of recovery.
The enlightening week culminates with the main event, a walk for Eating Disorder Awareness at Al Lopez Park on Saturday, February 25. The President from the National Eating Disorder Association will be present at the 2nd annual event. To sign up or donate money towards the event, visit http://neda.nationaleatingdisorders.org/site/TR?fr_id=1580&pg=entry and sign up under the Academy of the Holy Names team, which promotes a positive future by acknowledging the beauty of all women.
