What A Do Theatre is helping keep the performing arts vibrant in Battle Creek by giving young actors (and adults) a welcoming space to build confidence, skills, and community on stage.
“When I was coming out in 2018, I felt safe to do so within my friend group partly because of the media we were consuming, which was slowly including more queer characters, and the conversation about queer actors and artists became much more public."
Hangups about our bodies are common, especially in teens who identify as female. Sometimes, these dislikes evolve into obsessions and distortions. VOY Writer Lila McCarthy talks to a Battle Creek therapist about body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) — what it is and how to address it.
Nonbinary, trans, and genderfluid people can find it challenging when shopping for clothes. Their shapes and body types may not conform to typical gender shapes and sizes. This Voices of Youth writer explains the difference between 'gender identity' and 'gender expression,' looks at some needs and challenges facing fashion choices for trans and gender-fluid folx, and creates her own trans clothing designs that accommodate differences in body shape and size.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that social media use can have harmful impacts on teens by causing higher levels of anxiety, body dissatisfaction, and increasing rates of depression. Lila McCarthy, a 13-year-old Voices of Youth Battle Creek writer, examines and editorializes on an issue that she has witnessed first-hand among her peers.
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