To say this generation’s teenagers are media savvy is a massive understatement. Raised on a steady diet of social networking, text messaging and reality TV, they know more about spreading their message than most seasoned public relations executives. But Emily-Anne Rigal is probably the most media savvy teen I’ve met.

 

I met 16-year-old Emily-Anne earlier this week to talk about her nonprofit organization, We Stop Hate, and not even 10 minutes into our conversation, she handed me a press kit with her business card. The Walsingham student may spend her days doing schoolwork, but she spends her nights and weekends working as hard as most adults to boost what she calls “teen esteem.”

Rigal started We Stop Hate in March 2009. We Stop Hate is a primarily You Tube-based project that encourages teens — both regular and celebrity — to share inspirational messages about acceptance, self-esteem and loving oneself. Users started uploading videos three months ago, and since then, the You Tube channel has received more than 130,000 views and 6,500 subscribers.

Rigal says she was inspired to start We Stop Hate after meeting one of her idols, Jess Weiner, a columnist for Seventeen Magazine who writes about self-esteem. Rigal met Weiner when she attended a conference as a contributor to Allykatzz, a website for tweens and teen girls.

At that point, Rigal had been making videos on You Tube for two years and had become part of a small community of teenagers making videos for the website. Inspired by Weiner’s message of empowerment, Rigal called on her experience as a “You-Tuber” and decided to start the We Stop Hate channel, inviting her friends to make videos. She also met Disney stars Mitchel Musso, of “Hannah Montana,” and Monique Coleman, of “High School Musical,” who agreed to talk about their own efforts to be confident.

Rigal says she receives about five to 10 requests a day from teens hoping to get their video posted to We Stop Hate, but she tries to be selective. She accepts videos from people who are already established on You Tube, and have messages with a positive outlook. “I like optimism,” says Rigal, who is bubbly in person. “The more you focus on the good, the more you attract good.”

She thinks it’s important the messages come from teens, talking to other teens. “Instead of having adults say you should be who you are, we feature the kids you’d be going to school with,” she says. “I want people to say, ‘That looks like a person in my school.’”

Rigal feels the message of the site is especially important right now, when the media has focused its coverage on recent teen suicides. She hopes viewers lose their fear of being judged by others, and hopes viewers will cultivate good, supportive friendships. One of her favorite videos, by a user named Strawberry17, talks about how “you might inspire people, but not even know it.” I have to imagine Rigal is inspiring someone right now.

Rigal’s next goal for the organization is to expand into a full-fledged website that can build a sense of community. She hopes the site will have forums and social networking tools that will increase the interaction between teens.

In the meantime, We Stop Hate has become a stepping-stone for Rigal, who will be flying to New York this month to participate in a Seventeen Magazine press conference. She’ll be recognized as a “Body Peace Breakthrough” winner, and will have the chance to introduce Glee star Amber Riley, who will be a columnist for the magazine.

Instrument Program Benefits 38 Students

Last year, I wrote about the Williamsburg Symphonia’s Instruments for Kids program, which had started its first year of giving instruments and lessons to students in the Historic Triangle. At the time, the Symphonia had given a 3/4 size cello to then-fifth-grader Jackson Livanec, and planned to give violin lessons to a high school student.

I’m happy to report the program has grown impressively in less than a year. Thirty-five students from Warhill High School are taking Master Classes in violin, viola, bass and cello for free as part of the Instrument for Kids program. Elizabeth Caine, Warhill’s musical director, said, “There has been tremendous improvement in the playing ability of each student as a result of these special classes.”

In addition, two students from Toano Middle School will be receiving 3/4 size cellos for the first time, and Livanec will receive a full-size cello soon. Congratulations on the program’s continued growth, and if you know any of the students, be sure to commend them on their commitment!

Any music director in the Williamsburg, James City County or York County public or private schools can take advantage of the program by contacting Margene Hartsough at (757) 250-3151 or margene234@aol.com. Instruments and/or lessons are provided free of charge to deserving students.

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