Free Spirit

summer camp: Careers in Engineering for Women

We Can Do It: women making a difference in AUSTIN THE OTHER SIDE OF YOUR MAKEUP: an inside look at what’s in your cosmetics

Winter 2013 1 BOOK BLOG • BOOKSTORE BLUES • A HEALTHY BALANCE

Your

Winter Favorites

are back!

To Try This Winter:

• Gingerbread Latte • Eggnog Latte • Toffee Nut Latte • Orange Mocha

• Praline Mocha 2

Table of Contents 20

Meet the Staff

04 Letter From 05 the Editors A Healthy 06 Balance

13

06

by Emma Steyaert

We Can Do It!

09 Aspire, Advance, 1 3 Achieve

by Iliana Banda

09

by Rithi Mulgaonker

18

The Bookstore Blues

by Iliana Banda

20

Book Blog

23

The Other Side of your Makeup by Emma Steyaert

by Rithi Mulgaonker

06 Winter 2013

3

Meet The Staff

Rithi Mulgaonker Rithi is a freshman at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin, Texas. She is proud to say that she is a triplet, the only girl among two boys. Juggling between school and extra-curricular activities is one of Rithi’s major challenges right now, but she is enjoying every minute of her busy lifestyle! Rithi doesn’t have a lot of freetime but when she does, she loves watching movies with her family and friends, surfing Youtube and cozying up with a good read.

Rithi had an amazing time creating this magazine, and she hopes you have an even more entertaining time reading it!

Iliana Banda

Iliana is a 15 year old at LASA. She was born and raised in Austin, Texas and absolutley loves reading.

Her favorite book is “Looking For Alaska” by John Green and “The Rain of Gold” by Victor Villasenor.

Her favorite shows are Glee and Awkward. and enjoys watching movies. She hopes to attend St. Johns in New York City one day. She had an amazing time creating this magazine and really hopes you enjoy reading it!

Emma Steyaert

Emma Steyaert is a freshman at the Liberal Arts and Science Academy. She is 15 and she loves swimming and hanging out with her firends. She is a member of the LBJ Swim Team, and despite the cold mornings and lack of sleep, she still loves it. She also enjoys her favorite shows, New Girl and Parks and Recreation. She also loves Yearbook and is very excited participate in making the book. She had a great time making Free Spirt and she hopes you enjoy it!

4

Letter from the Editors Dear Readers,

Keeping you in mind, we created Free Spirit to not only entertain to you but also to provide you with helpful advice. We, the editors, have been through many frustrated stituations while editing this magazine, but we have tresaured every moment of creating Free Spirit and we know you will too!

In this issue you will find advice on how to be healthy inside and out, and advice from young women in our Austin commuinity who are making a difference, and along with some book gossip!

Free Spirit’s goal is to help girs believe in themselves!

Let your spirit be free!

Winter 2013

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A Healthy Balance B

written by Emma Steyaert

etween school, homework, sleep and any other tiny moment saved for having a social life, where do we fit in staying healthy? We opt for the eastiest thing, grabbing a bag of chips on your way out the door is much easier than standing at the counter for 10 minutes making a sandwich. These tips can help you find quick and easy ways to a healthier life.

Broccoli

Broccoli provides a great source of vitamins C and K, it helps build stronger bones and it is a good way to prevent many kinds of cancer.

Photo by: Robin Welsh

Eating sweet potatoes is one of the best ways to get vitamin C. They also have large amounts of potassium and fiber.

Photo by: Albert Cahalan

Leafy Greens

Dark Chocolate

Salmon

Avocados

Although they get a bad rep on taste, Leafy Greens provide great sources of vitamins A, C, & K, potassium, calcium, iron, and fiber.

Photo by: Mike Lang

Salmon, especially wild, can prevent cancer, heart disease, depression, memory loss, and Alzhiemer’s.

Photo by: Guian Bolisay 6

Sweet Potatoes

Even though chocolate is known for being unhealthy, a little dark chocolate can reduce blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Photo by: AndrĂŠ Karwath

Avocados can lower cholesterol, fiber, folate, reduce heart disease plus they taste delicious.

Photo by: Dee Bamford

Why Exercise is so Important

Photo by: A Healthier Mighigan

As a teenager, we are put under an enormous amount of stress between hours of homework, going to school, friends and extracurriculars. Even though extracurriculars can take up large amounts of time, we should still try to exercise.Things like playing sports or just working out for a few minutes a day can greatly relieve stress. When we get “in the zone” playing a sport, it gives us a break from all that stress. One of the best ways to do that is through a school sport where you can get P.E. credit and hang out with friends or meet new people.

Playing club sports are a great way to meet people who go to different schools and live all over the city. Overall, doing any kind over exercise 3-5 days a week could improve your life.

Upcoming Runs in Austin Easy Snack Wrap Keep in Mind...

• Exercise: During a long lecture in class, try doing leg lifts under your desk.

• Get plenty of sleep: The National Sleep Foundation says that teens should get 8 ½ to 9 ¼ hours of sleep every night.

• Drink lots of water: Staying hydrated is good for you, plus it helps to make skin clearer.

• Don’t skip meals: Doing so can result in more snacking, which can make you eat even more and eat less healthy foods.

• Try to help with planning some meals. Then you can pick some great, healthy foods and your parents will appreciate it.

These wraps make super easy after-school snacks!

Photo by:Zachary Armstrong

Photo by: Denis Dervisevic

• • • • • •

tortilla (flour or corn) low fat cream cheese lettuce (or kale) chicken or sliced turkey shredded carrots minced tomato

Spread cream cheese evenly over the tortillas. Top the cream cheese with lettuce leaves. Arrange the turkey slices in even layers on top of the lettuce. Sprinkle the carrots and tomato over the turkey slices.

Roll the tortillas into wraps.

From allrecipes.com

3M Half Marathon

Race Day: 1/19/14 Register: 3mhalfmarathon

Side by Side Run

Race Day: 2/1/14 Register: bit.ly/5Ktrail

Austin 10/20

Race Day: 4/13/14 Register: Run1020.com

Capitol 10k

Race Day: 4/6/14 Register: statesman.com/s/cap10k/

Tip!

A great way to make sure you are eating healthy all week long is to pack lunch for the whole week on Sunday. That way you can make sure to pack a well-rounded meal with fruits, veggies, and something like a sandwich or pasta.

Winter 2013

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START FRESH AT

WHOLE FOODS!

To find a location closest to you, go to www.wholefoodsmarket.com

A healthy place to eat with family

and friends

written by: iliana banda

never stop dreaming Winter 2013

9

I

“You have the power to make a difference magine a world without women like Rosa parks, and create positive change in your Susan B. Anthony or Mother Theresa. Mrs. Parks started community. Through it all, maintain a sense a huge movement simply by not of humility and remember that you have giving up her seat on the bus. something to learn from everyone you meet.”

Helen Keller was one of the main organizations like The Hutto advocates of her time for people different because she had broken with disabilities. Mother Theresa English, since her first language was Visitation Program, Texans United For For Families, and Women is a poster women for her great Spanish. Instead of feeling sorry for Equal Rights Campaigns. acts of charity. Where would we herself, she decided to act upon the “ I went to a presentation that be without the changes made by injustices she had. She started in a Grassroots Leadership hosted in a these women? Would someone summer camp, Young Scholars for bookstore, met some of the folks else step up to the plate? These Justice (YSJ) and there, she learned women have completely changed more about the injustices in Austin. working with the organization, and slowly began to get increasingly our society and without women Such as the differences in schools involved with the work the group like them who knows what kind in West and East Austin and the was doing,” Rocio says. of world we’d live in. These overall environmental differences.

There, she got involved names are ones that we know. But, Rocio noticed how the buildings in an organization called TUFF, what names will our children’s in West Austin were much nicer Texans United For families which children know? Will it be women and kept a lot neater than in East helps immigrants in the United like Rocio Villalobos or Susana Austin. Rocio recalls calling the States. She also volunteers at Almanza?

City to see if they could cut the The Hutto Visitation Program “ Becoming more deeply high grasses by an intersection which she helped start up as well. involved in and committed to my because they made it hard to see Through her experiences with community was a beautiful and over and after a couple months illegal immigrants she really felt empowering experience for me, “ they were finally cut. However, for the people in Hutto.The says Rocio Villalobos, member of in West Austin Rocio never saw Hutto Visitation program gains Texans United For Families. high grasses. In YSJ she looked volunteers to visit people in the Villalobos grew up in a working more into why injustices were Hutto Detention Center. Since class neighborhood with a happening. In college, she really the people there are immigrants, hard-working father and a poor started to take initiative and got most of them don’t understand Mexican-immigrant mother. involved in different organizations.

English and since the majority of From an early age, Villalobos She started in Grassroots Leadership the workers there don’t understand was immersed into a world of which helps start different discrimination and injustice.

J. Howard Miller any other language , the immigrants don’t understand why they are Growing up was a difficult task for there. What the Hutto Visitation Villalobos.

Program does is helps the detainees “ I internalized a lot of the negative in the center and explains to them messages surrounding me with why they’re there and how to get respect to my inherent value as a out. Rocio has been involved there woman of color“ Villalobos recalls. for about 3 and a half years. She is Issues she faced, kids still face a recurring volunteer there and has today. Of course, it’s not the exact helped many immigrants. Rocio same because of the differences says part of the reason she really in society. One of Rocio’s first likes doing the Hutto Program memories first experiences with because with her mother being discrimination was with her Rosie The Riveter, an icon of women an immigrant, she wouldn’t have mother. She really noticed how empowerment across America. wanted her to have gone through people treated her extremely 10

that. Rocio’s mother is a big influence in her activeness.

“She taught me so much about leadership and standing up for what you believe in from an early age.” Rocio explains.

Rocio’s mother was very involved in her life and that’s what makes it different for Rocio. There are women making differences like Rocio is but, you don’t usually hear about them. For example, Susana Almanza is a community activist, but you don’t hear about on the news every day.

Susana is the co-director of PODER, People In Defense Of Earth and her Resources. Susana is a huge community activist. She does everything from rallies for affordable housing to meetings for Austin City Council. Some recent accomplishments Susana has made is getting the bill passed or a new Montopolis Recreation Center.

They are going to redo the center because of all the support she got for the bill. She also is currently trying to get people to learn about the new Health Care bill and going around the community handing out pamphlets that help explain how to sign up and what the Health Care

photo by: Austin Library

Susana Almanza speaking outside the Austin Library about Affordable Housing.

bill says. Susana has always wanted to be a community activist and have a voice. “ I saw so many things from a young age that were unfair and I just knew I had to change them.

There were an unbelievable amount of differences in West and East Austin communities, “ Susana says.

Susana graduated from Travis High School and from there went straight to working in her community. She first joined the Brown Bureaus which fought for equal opportunities for people of color and equal education for everyone. From there, she and a close friend discovered PODER.

“ Just try to make a difference and by that you’ve already taken the first step to making a change” She then hurried onto to protesting some of the biggest differences in East and West Austin. For example, she organized a large protest to fight for an equal education for all kids in Austin. This is where PODER really got started. From then on she got involved in all things in Austin. She brought attention to important things such as needed crosswalks, poisoning power plants, and unaffordable higher housing prices. She has made big changes in her community and plans to keep going. “ I feel this is what I’m meant to do. To help people and fix injustices in my community. To do all I can to help, “ Susana says.

Susana and Rocio have made huge impacts in their community from a young age.

They both have made strides toward a better community. Susana

photo by: Iliana Banda

Brown beret’s were an organization that fight against police brutality and advocate for education equality.

has fought for equal education and has helped in shutting down Tank Farms which are extremely harmful.

Rocio has helped immigrants in the Hutto Detention Center and has fought for immigrant families to have better lives with TUFF. Both women have made changes in their community and plan to continue.

They’re women who can done it and hope to continue to do it.

“Become knowledgeable about your surroundings and your community and never doubt that your experiences and your perspectives matter. You have the power to make a difference and create positive change in your community. Through it all, maintain a sense of humility and remember that you have something to learn from everyone you meet.

Social change happens through the relationships we create and the bridges we build. Support and lift up the other girls and young women in your life – we are stronger together” Rocio says.

Winter 2013

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ANTHROPOLOGIE

12

Aspire, Advance and Achieve Writtten by: Rithi Mulgaonker

All photos are a courtesy of Rebecca Tom

T

he room is bustling with with innovation, you can hear the ideas brewing and see the faces of counselors glowing with pride, it the last day at the Careers in Engineering for Women week-long summer camp, held at the University of Texas at Austin.

The girls have only been here for a week but they interact as if they’ve known each other for much longer. Some girls in the large lecture hall practice their presentation, while others are touching up their device.Soon, they will all be presenting to their parents about their Final Project. Every girl here, has been through a competitive application process, from submitting a handwritten essay to teacher recommendations, these girls have competed against hundreds of applicants, to get into this renowned camp. These girls are here because they Aspire, Advance and Achieve.

Winter 2013

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The purpose of CEW is “to encourage middle school girls to develop an interest in math, science and engineering through hands-on experiences. CEW also wants girls to relaize engineering is also about innovation and cooperation. Whether she’s a counselor or camper, CEW has touched each and every girl who’s experienced the program.

“Also having the camp in a convenient location for Austin locals, in addition {to} the fact that CEW is week-long, implements real-life engineering (group work, engineering activities, campus tours, etc), and has actual college students running the program from scratch really helps make CEW unique,” said Rebecca Tom, one of the many counselors for the summer camp.

The challenges are what makes the girls so close in such a short amount of time. “We would provide the participants, who are typically in teams, with a variety of projects that each focus on a specific type of engineering. Projects may include building cars and bridges from nonconventional materials; creating the longest or most complex rollercoaster track from foam, toothpicks, and tape; and making a paper boat that would hold the most pennies while floating in water,” said Genevieve Lim, another CEW counselor, describing some challenges the girls will have to figure out in the duration of the camp

The Change “Everyone is always so apprehensive in the beginning; they keep to themselves, they’re shy, and they’re timid. By midweek, most people know each other well enough to break out of their comfort zone.

By the end of the week, people are talking to one another and not afraid of striking up conversations! It’s an

awesome transformation to see!” Tom said.

Although most girls live in the Austin area, they come from all over the city and from different school districts, but some come from neighboring cities, like San Antonio and Dallas. Before the girls even Campers listening to a guest professor about liquid nitrogen. arrive, counselors spend countless hours preparing started in high school. I was a very for them, one part is assigning the active member of an environmental girls in different groups, this strategy awareness and recycling club in my helps prevent awkward silence and sophomore year. The club activities excluding others. Counselors also introduced me to alternative energy encourage many games throughout sources and biodegradable products. the week like “WAH”, “Four As a chemical engineer, I could Corners”, and “The Human Knot” potentially contribute more to for the girls to feel more comfortable. environmental sustainability,” shared Lim, an upperclassman, currently “At the start and end of the camp, majoring in chemical engineering at we provided the girls with preUT, shared what attracted her interest and post-surveys, respectively, to in engineering complete. The counselors could definitely say that the girls became Tom, an electrical engineer at more open and interested in exploring UT shares what sparked her interest STEM (science, technology, in engineering, “I think I was engineering, and math)-related brainwashed to become an engineer majors after the camp.” Lim said.

I grew up in Austin, so my parents Coming into the camp, most girls always brought to me to UT events were not aware of the various majors like “Introduce a Girl to Engineering they could explore in college besides Day”, “Explore UT”, “Consider the broad majo “engineering”, after Every Option”, and “Encounter with CEW they have been exposed to Engineering”. I even applied to CEW many other possibilities. in middle school! These are all events I am proud to volunteer for now. I Meet the Counselors also went to other engineering camps “My interest in engineering actually like “MESET” at the University of

“everyone is always so apprehensive in the beginning; they keep to themselves, they’re shy, and they’re timid...”

14

Houston campus.” she exclaims.

Rebecca is a former CEW counselor, and currently the Vice President of Executive Affairs for the prominent organization that organizes the camp in Austin, Society of Women Engineers or otherwise known as SWE.

SWE Society of Women Engineers is a renowned organization that supports women majoring in engineering, Tom shares her experience as being part of the society and the goals of this year’s chapter. “I’ve had an exceptionally positive experience with SWE. Something we focus on heavily is outreach to the community, in particular, middle and high school girls. We have special programs (Encounter with Engineering for high schoolers and CEW for middle schoolers) in place to help these girls get a better idea of what engineering is like through hands-on activities, teamwork, and problem-solving. Our aim is to tell these girls that they, too, can become engineers; fellow officers, volunteers, and I serve as role models and as a resource for you all (younger girls) to look up to.” SWE members also volunteer as judges in science fairs and robotics tournaments to show that they do support and want more female engineers.

A team of campers conquering a challenge. young girls to explore engineering and for them to have a support system, whether in college or middle school,” she said.

Impact on Counselors and Campers Not only is CEW constructive for the campers, but also for the college counselors who run the camp, Lim explains the amount of preparation it took for the camp to get started.

of engineering while keeping it fun and engaging, becoming a CEW counselor had made me a better student and leader. It requires much preparation, organization, time management, and hard work, which are all traits necessary to excel in school.”

Lim concluded about life as a student and counselor.

The counselors persevere through the tedious work at the beginning, “but, at the end of the day, if I know I have changed at least one

“but, at the end of the day, if I know I have changed at least one girl’s mindset on what an engineer is.... It makes everything worthwhile.”

Lim’s experience of SWE is equally as enriching as Rebecca’s, Lim has been in SWE since her freshman year in college. “The sense of community that SWE provided had eased my transition from high school to college.

Through the organization, I started genuine friendships, discovered valuable university resources, achieved leadership experience, and expanded my network of professionals.” SWE strives to inspire

“I had to collaborate with my fellow counselors in planning CEW day by day, which included obtaining materials and food, setting up presentations, and ensuring that sufficient time is provided for every activity.”

Though, these counselors are much older, they still had to balance their life as a student, “Similarly, as a student, I have to balance my extracurricular activities with academics.

As counselors, our ultimate goal is to teach the girls about the importance

girl’s mindset on what an engineer is and/or if she enjoyed what she did for the day and wants to become an engineer. It makes everything worthwhile. Running CEW has made me more passionate to help increase the number of women in engineering because I see real, live results.”.said Tom.

Winter 2013

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but more importantly campers were enjoying themselves.

Advice

A picture of Kristen’s favorite activity at the camp.

Memories “Whatever I learned from CEW, I’ve already incorporated it into my mind.” those skills were mainly “to work together with my team, or offer up ideas to the{as a}whole,” Katherine Budet, a freshman at James Bowie High School participated in the camp in the year of 2011 said her favorite challenge was when her team had to create a “roller coaster” for a marble from one end of the wall to the other end with limited supplies and time.

Kristen Lowe, another freshman at James Bowie High School, was a camper in 2010 said that at the time she thought she would pursue a career in engineering, which is the reason why she went to the camp. “When one of the chemistry professors showed us how to create an ‘indoor thunderstorm’ by putting dry ice into a bucket and pouring hot water over it. The combination of the two created a bit explosion, which sounded like thunder, and cause the dry ice to explode and melt, like rain,” said Lowe describing her favorite memory.

“I learned how many different types of engineering careers there are, how to use your creativity in many different ways, and how to create 16

indoor thunderstorms! I also learned how to work with a team and work better individually.” Lowe stated.

Budet and Lowe both would like to experience CEW again, if they come out with the same lovely memories they have now! The campers learned exactly what the counselors hoped they would, fulfilling the goal of why CEW was established. Campers are also not the only girls who treasure their memories of the camp, counselors also have special memories of the campers they were in charge of.

“Watching my assigned group of girls present their Final Project, and showing me the “Thank you” note that they drew on the back of their poster at the end of their presentation. As their counselor, I was very proud of their Final Project, and felt overwhelmed by their appreciation,” was one of Lim’s favorite moments as a counselor.

As for Tom’s best experience is when one of her campers went up and told her, “joining CEW was the best thing my mother has ever forced me to do.” Lim really appreciated the comment and it helped her know that the camp was completely worth putting on,

There is no doubt that CEW requires creativity and hard work from both ends of the spectrum, the counselors and campers, but as we all learned, it is all worth it at the end.

“My advice is that if girls aspire to be an engineer, but find that they’re not particularly strong in math or science, to not be discouraged at all!

Being strong at math and science are not the defining points of being an engineer. There are also aspects of problem-solving, creativity, innovation, solution analysis, etc. As long as they keep their head down, focus, do well in school, and keep their eye on the prize, they’ll be sure to be successful,” concluded Rebecca Tom. Genevieve Lim has a simpler take, but one with the same message for the girls who want to grow up and be engineers. “Work hard, keep motivated, and continue learning. Also, engineering does not comprise of just math and science.

It is fundamentally problem solving, which also requires creativity,” she said.

Group of girls rushing to finish thier project with advice form their counselor.

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Winter 2013

17

Bookstore Blues written by Iliana Banda

Located on South 1st, Resistencia opened it’s doors in 1981 and ever since it has been the place to go for books that you don’t usually see in your local library.The founder of Resistencia, Raul R. Salinas was not only known for his passion for social justice and human rights, but as well as his commitment to bringing to poetry to places that don’t get to experience it every day. Salinas had the idea to bring poetry to at-risk teens as well as lower income neighborhoods with poetry slams. Salinas passed away in 2008 but, his bookstore lives on with the help of the new owner, Deborah Sengptua. Free Spirit sat down with Sengptua and discussed how she continues Salinas legacy.

Q:

Why did you decide to continue the idea of Resistencia?

A: At first, I wasn’t sure how I

was going to do it. It was difficult and I didn’t think I’d be able to run it then, Raul died and I realized it was my duty. Now I’m so happy I did, Resistencia is my second home.

Q:

How often do you hold poetry slams in Resistencia and who can participate?

A: We usually hold poetry slams

once a month. Anybody can participate. Raul had the idea to start them when he realized how much talent people in East Austin had and didn’t have a safe place to share it.

“ Everyone has a story and we try to help them share theirs. ” 18

Q:

Could you describe to Free Spirit readers how Red Salmon Arts center and Resistencia relate?

A: Well, Red Salmon Arts home is in Resistencia, they sort of life here. I also help run Red Salmon Arts so basically, RSA and Resistencia are sisters.

Q:

Out of all the books Resistencia’s a home to, which book is your personal favorite?

Q:

What are some of your favorite things about running Resistencia?

A: Well, the overall enviroment

is so welcoming. It’s very cololrful and vibrant in here.It’s refreshing.

Also the different type of people, they all come from different walks of life and different cultures. It’s cool. photo by: Iliana Banda

A: That’s a hard question... I’d have to say that this little book called Sin Nombre is probably my favorite. Translated to English it means no name. This book is about a 13 year old girl and her mother crossing the Mexican border to America and it’s a coming of age story of the girl and it explains her life and what and her mother went through. Her mother was a maid who worked to send her to a private catholic school and she explains how it paid off because as a 30 year old she is a sucessful lawyer.It’s amazing.

Raul R. Salinas at one of the numerous poetry slams he hosted in South/ East Austin.

“Resistencia is a creative Q: How do you think Red Arts Center has made a outlet for anybody.” Salmon difference?

Q:

In all the years you’ve ran Resistencia, what was the biggest problem you’ve faced?

A: We don’t really have any

problems. We’ve had an overall good experience. Nobody bothers us too much and gives us trouble.

It’s been pretty chill.

Q:

What do you think makes Resistencia different from other bookstores in Austin?

A: The books at Resistencia

cannpot be found anywher else.

We carry special books and books that haven’t recieved enough praising. Our words and thoughts are shared through poetry here.

Q:

Recently, there was an article published in AustinCitySearch about Resistencia and the article gave bad reviews. How do you react to that?

A: Well, everybody has an

opinion. We try not to let it bother us. We realize we are different and not necessarily a real bookstore in society’s eyes because some of books are poetry writings of kids in bad schools and just because they’re not professional writers doesn’t mean their writings are any less important. We understand that people aren’t used to places likeus and that’s okay everyone’s different. We brush it off.

Q:

Why do you think Resistencia is an important bookstore to attend?

A: Well, most people who have been to Resistencia considered it a creative outlet. They find things here they wouldn’t find anywhere else.We have stories of real people who have most likely been through things like the person coming to our bookstore is strugllingn with. The stories show you can get throiugh it, no matter the injustice. Or problem, or anything. We welcome everyone.

Q:

What makes the books available at Resistencia different from the books available at any other book store in Austin?

A: We have books nobody else

does. We have collections from Native American authors, African-American authors, Latin writers, we have just about everything.We like true stories.

We have historical writtings and provide different points of views.

A:

RSA has done so many things. We’re very proud of ourselves and have accomplished so much! We bring poetry to at risk youth, we bring reading and different points of view to kids and bring to their attention things they normally wouldn’t care about.

We try to change these kids lives.

These kids basically have nobody who will take the time to teach them things like this.They aren’t fortunate enough to have oppurtunities like LASA. They don’t have things like that.The girls we try to boost self esteem and allow them to share their problems through poetry. The boys are a bit harder but, w try.

Everyone has a story and we try to help them share theirs.

Q:

Do you have any advice for Free Spirit readers?

A: Well, my advice is to never

give up on yourself. Life gets hard and if you wish to pursue a literary carrer, Resistencia will more than likely be happy to help!

Photo by: Iliana Banda

A mural made on the side of Resistencia bookstore.

Winter 2013

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S

BookBlog

ept. 28th marke d the fifth

year of the lar gest young adult written by

book festival in the natio Rithi n, wi th a total of nearly 5000 attendees, mostly teenagers.

Mulgaonker The Austin Teen Book Festival’s go al is to promote the dreams of young aspiring authors to connect with their idols, some of which are Sarah Desse n, Jenny Han and Brian Yansky. According to the Au stin Chronicle (Sept.

2013), ATBF was founded by the He ather Schubert, librarian at Hill Country Middle Sc hool and in partnership with BookPeople. Chec k out some of the books that caught our eye at the ATBF!

1

The Moon and More By: Sarah Dessen Emmaline has a perfect boyfriend, Luke-he’s handsome, funny and knows her well. Soon it’s the summer before college and Emmaline wonders if perfect is good enough and struggles to decide to balance her familiar, simple world with the exciting unknown. Join Emmaline on her journey of finding the moon and more, while still remaing true to herself.

The Program By: Suzanne Young A dystopian novel, where teen suicide is an epidemic, in Sloane’s world, emotions are forbidden, even the slightest indicator, and you will be put in “The Program”. Sloane then meets James, the only person she can be herself with. He is the he only preson with whom she can can express her true emotions. Each day becomes a struggle to hide the truth, so will Sloane and Jame’s love survive?

20

2

3

Memories!

This Song Will Save Your Life By: Leila Sales It has always been difficult for Elise Dembowski to make friends, but when she crosses paths with three bold, daring girls, Vicky, Char and Pippa, who all have a deep passion for disc jockeying, Elise’s perspective on life changes forever.

Where the Stars Still Shine By: Trish Doller

4

Callie, kidnapped and on the run with her mom for 10 years, has never experienced a normal famly life before, let alone school or friends. But now with her mom’s imprisonment, she will finally have to learn to adjust to her “would have been” life.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/atbf2009/10013152993/in/photostream/

“The Austin Teen Book Festival is an amazing experience for book lovers.

There are tons of awesome authors, panels, and you can get your books signed.

If you can get to the ATBF, you definitely should!”

~Emily posted on BookPeople Press Corps.

“I am so excited to be attending my first ATBF!!

Everyone has been telling me it is so amazing, and hearing about it has made me even more anxious to go!”

~Willa also blogged on BookPeople Press Corps.

“My daughter, Hilary Whitaker had an awesome experience!! Meeting Sarah Dessen was something she will never forget. Thank you!”

~Sarah A. Alavardo posted about the festival on the ATBF Facebook page.

Many teen introverts and book worms consider ATBF a safe haven,” said Amy Gentry, of the Austin Chronicle.The famous festival continues to be an event young adults in Austin look forward to each year. Next year, you can experience it yourself.

Five panelist or authors answering questions during the panel named “Into the Hearts of Darkness”.

All books are availabe for purchase on Amazon.com

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“ Toggle To The Top, of the Christmas tree this winter ”

The Other Side of Cosmetics

written by emma steyaert

Winter 2013

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G

irls all over the world spend their mornings rushing to apply their makeup.

Most girls find a type or brand of makeup that they absolutely love and eventually never even question throwing that product into their shopping cart. They know how it looks and works and they like it. They don’t even think that maybe the same makeup they’ve put on for 2 years can cause major health problems including cancer, development issues and skin problems.

As girls grow older, makeup becomes a staple in their lives.

The makeup industry has grown immensely and companies have to produce more products. Margie Kelly, Media Relations Manager for the Breast Cancer Fund and The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics told us “Change comes slowly. Cosmetics makers are aware of the problem chemicals in their products but most of them aren’t moving to find alternatives or even acknowledge that girls and women want safe cosmetics. For example, we let Revlon know there were dangerous chemicals linked to cancer in cosmetics and hair dyes and instead of taking action to make safer cosmetics, Revlon threatened

to bring legal action against the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.”

In order to mass produce products, many companies have turned to shortcuts when making cosmetics that include chemicals that make products cheaper and last longer. Stacy Malkan, author of Not Just a Pretty Face and cofounder of The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics stated that research found iconic company Johnson & Johnson using formaldehyde and other toxic chemicals in their baby and adult products. These substances have shown up in everything from sunscreen to lip gloss, things many people use everyday.

Many women were shocked to hear about the amount of lead in lipstick. Almost every girl carries at least one lip gloss in her backpack or purse. Unfortunately, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has not done anything to take leadridden products off the shelves.

They found very small amounts of these metals in the products and decided the small amount wasn’t enough to cause for concern.

“Low levels of metals may not create a risk, but as the exposure

increases, the damage can increase.”

Katharine Hammond, Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley told the Huffington Post in a May, 2013 article, “Toxic Lipstick?

Metals In Some Lip Products May Be Dangerous, Study Says” “Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels. The latest studies show there is no safe level of lead exposure,” said Mark Mitchell, MD, MPH, policy advisor of the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice and cochair of the Environmental Health Task Force for the National Medical Association to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics in their article “Lead in Lipstick?”

Research also found one of the most necessary items for your beach bag, sunscreen, to contain harmful Photo by: Joe Shlabotnik

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ingredients. Although skin cancer is a very prominent issue, the Breast Cancer Fund believes that we should be careful about which sunscreen we chose. In an article published by the Breast Cancer Fund, they found that; “In a study of six common sunscreen chemicals, five of them exerted significant estrogenic activity, as measured by the increase in proliferation rates of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7 cells) grown in vitro.”

Many organizations were founded for the sole purpose of making cosmetics safer. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics was founded in 2004 with the goal of

“as exposure increases, the damage can increase”

protecting consumers and working with legislatures and companies to accomplish this. They have convinced over 1,300 companies to sign the Compact for Safe Cosmetics.

According to their website, the Compact for Safe Cosmetics works with companies to: • “Stimulate the innovation of the safe, non-­toxic personal care products that the world market is demanding; • Protect consumers, workers and the environment from exposure to chemicals linked to cancer, reproductive harm and other adverse health impacts; and • Ensure everyone in the U.S. has access to safe personal care products, regardless of geography and income.”

Margie Kelly said “The whole campaign has been

groundbreaking. When it was launched 10 years ago, no one was putting together the links between health issues and chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products. We were the first organization to test for lead in lipstick (it’s in there!) and we found formaldehyde in Johnson & Johnson’s iconic baby shampoo. That news led J&J to eliminate formaldehyde and other dangerous ingredients from its baby and adult product lines.”

The Breast Cancer Fund, another organization that research to eliminate harmful substances from cosmetics, states that in getting rid of toxic chemicals and radiation, they can help prevent breast cancer. The Environmental Working Group, one of the largest organizations in this field, lobbies in all areas attempting to make the world more toxin free and reduce the use of potentially harmful ingredients. In their work on cosmetics, they spread the word about harmful substances and negotiate with legislatures to reduce chemicals in products.

They launched the Skin Deep website to inform people about the toxins in cosmetics and guide them towards the most natural and chemical-free products.

Kelly says, “At the end of the day, we won’t see the change we need unless everyone keeps their voices up and supports safe cosmetics.”

Malkan said, “I think it’s important for all of us, and especially girls and women, to find ways to reject the toxic messages the companies are selling us, and the toxic products too. The beauty industry is the one that needs the makeover, and we have the power to do it.”

Harmful

Chemicals in your Makeup

Lipstick: Lipstick and lip gloss from well known brnads like L’Oreal, Covergirl and Revlon were all found to contain small amounts of lead.

Photo by Maria Morri

Mascara: Researchers have found that in 3 months or less, mascara develops bacteria as the preservatives stop functioning.

Photo by Jorge Barrios

Mineral Based Powder: Scientists found minerals like mica in powders and when they float through the air and are inhaled, they can cause lung diseases.

Photo by liwe-photos Photography

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The iPhone

REINVENTED in

COLOR

Visit your local Apple Store or store.apple.com

Winter 2013

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Classic lasts

FOREVER