Beyond Beauty, Building Bonds
Ashley A., Hollow Hills High School student, shares her own personal reflection and how handling the role of being president of her school's chapter has impacted her.
Taking advantage of all the opportunities the GlamourGals Foundation provides has helped me enrich my service with the seniors. For example, I always organize engaging activities for the seniors, such as bracelets, cards, sun catchers, and more. These seemingly small objects always bring a smile to their face that I will never forget. In addition, I took the opportunity to have the Alzheimer's Association come to my school and present to the members how to communicate with seniors with Alzheimer's and dementia effectively. The members have sincerely expressed to me how informative and helpful it was. As a result, I felt better equipped to talk to all the seniors and create meaningful, intergenerational friendships. Lastly, the events GlamourGals National have hosted have been a key memory of my time in this club. The first one I attended was GLTI (GlamourGals Leadership Training Institute), where I learned so much, like using the Chapter Creativity Fund to enhance the seniors' experience and learning compassion and self-love. This self-improvement made me a better President of GlamourGals; I attend every meeting with my best self and the top skills to make the experience the best for my fellow volunteers and the seniors we serve.
Ashley receiving her Glammy Scholarship Award at our awards ceremony in NYC.
Every other week, I walk into the senior living facility not just to paint nails but to engage in heartfelt conversations with my best friend, Maron. Despite being an 80-year-old widow who has Alzheimer's disease, Maron continues to inspire me with her wisdom. "Ashley, you cannot love someone until you love yourself," she once said. These words struck a chord within me, transcending the boundaries of a mere superficial quote. Maron taught me that my youthful years are meant for fun, exploration, and self-discovery. Her advice echoes in my mind, urging me to step out of my comfort zone and embrace new experiences. Whether venturing out with a new friend or trying a new cuisine, Maron's voice resonates, encouraging me to take advantage of life's offerings.
Rewinding to my first year of high school during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, I stumbled upon a club bulletin board that piqued my interest – "GlamourGals." The poster's invitation, "Do you want to make a difference in your community? If yes, then this club is for you!" captivated me. For the past four years, I have been a devoted member of this club, profoundly grateful for the experiences it has afforded me.
