Teen Empowerment Club brought in two different guest speakers to their meeting on April 24 to spread awareness about positive body image, dangers of diet culture, and promoting healthy choices.

Barbara Wallen-Adams from LCSW and Aimee Romero, the Regional Outreach Director for Alsana, both visited Bishop Gorman’s Student Union to talk about one of the most crucial issues for teenagers in today’s world: body image. They discussed topics like eating disorders and different health details, bringing awareness to the members of the Teen Empowerment club.

“One of the things I learned during the meeting that I didn’t know before was the fact that one in ten people struggle with an eating disorder,” Breanna Cross ‘26 said. She continued to explain that it was surprising how many people’s lives are affected by ideas of body image, and how passionate the guest speakers were about making a difference. 

But the meeting was not just informational. Some of the topics covered can be extremely impactful when it comes to teens who struggle with body image. “Events like this can help teens learn more about what they are struggling with, and let them know that they aren’t alone and can seek help,” Katheryn Segler ‘25 said. 

Teen Empowerment gathered so many messages from the meeting that they are excited to incorporate into upcoming meetings, hopeful that they can continue to spread awareness throughout Bishop Gorman. “In my mind, empowerment means to be determined and give people meaning in communities,” Cross said. “Teens can support each other in feeling empowered by acknowledging and accepting everyone and helping them through their struggles.”