Drum roll please, this week our Her Campus Celeb is Miss Megan Carrasco. Carrasco is the President of the Body Acceptance Movement, an emerging student organization at Kent State University. I got to interview Carrasco about the Body Acceptance Movement and can’t wait for you all to learn more about it below:
Name: Megan Carrasco
Major: Applied Communications
Grade: Junior
Hometown: Laurel, Maryland
Her Campus: What is the Body Acceptance Movement?
Megan Carrasco: The BAM is a student organization that strives to promote a lifestyle of body acceptance for students, faculty and staff for people on campus.
HC: How did BAM get started?
MC: Bam was started in fall of 2012 by a Masters of Public health student, Colleen Fitzgibbons. It was a project she was doing to complete her Masters because she thought that there was a gap for people who didn’t have an eating disorder, but weren’t exactly happy with themselves.
HC: Can you tell us some of the tough issues BAM has confronted?
MC: We try and confront all stereotypes and body types. We aren’t pro fit or pro skinny. We are pro everyone. We try to agree and support any lifestyle you want to live whether it’s active or not. We try to help them recognize their inner abilities instead of focusing on the materials on the outside.
HC: What are the big events that BAM puts on?
MC: Love Your Body day, Miss Representation screening in the Kiva with the help of the Women’s Center. We also do National Eating Disorders week, in spring and we are looking to partner with organizations like Chaarg to create another spring event.
HC: I understand BAM won an award at Kent State closing ceremonies last year. What award did you win?
MC: We won the Organizational Excellence award.
HC: That’s awesome. How did BAM win that?
MC: We were nominated by our advisor because of how much we’ve grown…how much activism we have done…how many organizations we have partnered with and how we have used campus resources to our advantage.
HC: Why is body acceptance relevant to college students?
MC: I can’t speak for everyone, but I think it’s really important because it impacts your self-esteem which can have adverse effects on your academic performance. If you don’t like the way you look when you go out, it can have an impact on how you’re performing.
HC: What are the benefits someone can get from joining BAM?
MC: We try and help you reaffirm the best parts about you. One of my favorite things is BAM 100 happy days, to learn to appreciate the little things in life. It’s a great way to make friends and a place to gain leadership experience.
HC: What is BAM 100 happy days?
MC: #BAM100happydays is a way for students to interact with BAM and help remind ourselves that everyday has a positive and that there is something to be thankful for and something to be happy about each day.
HC: Can anyone join BAM?
MC: Yeah, absolutely. Anybody undergraduate/graduate/faculty/staff whatever.
HC: What do you have to do to be a part of BAM?
MC: Attend at least 3 meetings per semester and pay the required $5 dues.
HC: When and where are your meetings?
MC: Every other Monday at 5:30 in room 314 of the student center. The next meeting will be October 20th.
HC: Why should people join BAM?
MC: It’s for people who are ready to start a journey within themselves. I joined as a freshmen feeling insecure and having a lack of confidence and focusing too much on outward appearance and over the last two and a half years I have grown tremendously.
There you have it! This organization is doing great things on Kent’s campus. If you’re looking to get involved or looking for the perfect pick me up, attend a BAM meeting sometime. Also, check out #BAM100happydays.