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Arts & Entertainment

Girls World Explosion St. Louis Expo 2011

ST. LOUIS – Being a 21st century teenage girl presents myriad challenges and difficult choices on a daily basis. From Facebook, friends and food to boyfriends, bullies and blackheads, it’s hard to navigate oneself down the proper path to a healthy, happy and hopeful life.

On Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Girls World Explosion (www.girlsworldexplosion.com) will present a one-day, fun-filled event where girls 11-18 can dream about, imagine and believe in their futures, as well as be empowered to help them achieve those goals.

As part of the event, there will be a series of seminars and speakers aimed at helping girls make smart decisions and pointing out potential warning signs in their lives. The sessions’ topics, many chosen by a group of local teenagers, are geared toward self-awareness and creating positive self-images.

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“Society and media images make it very confusing for teenage girls, and girls of this age group are in need of positive role models so this is a day of possibilities,” said Varinda Missett, one of the founders of Girls World Explosion. “This expo is about learning to love and accept yourself just how you are. Self-esteem is often lacking in teen girls. They are unsure of themselves and very impressionable so the messages girls learn and how they feel about themselves at this age often follows them for the rest of their lives.”

Session topics include:

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• In Your Facebook - Staying Safe on the Social and Anti-Social Network Scene.

• Learn to Love the Skin Your In ... Building Self Esteem.

• “Bullies Aren't Leaders” - A Look at the Growing Epidemic of Girl Pressures.

• Drinking/Drugs - Making the Right Choices.

• “Loves Not Supposed to Hurt” - Dating Abuse Awareness.

• The Choices You Make - Teen Pregnancies and Abstinence.

• Healthy Eating and Fast Facts About Eating and Food.

• Surviving and Thriving - How to Overcome Obstacles in life.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac, 1335 S. Lindbergh Blvd. Tickets are $10/person and are available through the St. Louis Post-Dispatch or girlsworldexplosion.com or at the door.

The expo also will include:

•             A street-style marketplace with hundreds of local vendors displaying clothing, jewelry, books, art and salon items, as well as an art show, live music and dancers.

•             A science fair showcasing inventions from local middle school and high school girls.

•             College and career fair featuring successful local women from dozens of companies, colleges and trade schools who will provide information on career paths, degree programs and internships.

•             A runway fashion show featuring local girls in stylish outfits of all sizes.

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