Becky Minger

My platform, “Discovering You, Empowering You: A Movement for Youth Development”, has grown and changed over the years, but still focuses on four main points: 

• Building a Healthy Self-Image
• Respecting Yourself and Others
• Setting Goals
• Recognizing the Support Around You

Growing up, I struggled with my self-esteem. As a shy, awkward kid living with ADHD, I became a victim of bullying myself, and there were times I wished I could be invisible. Self-image, self-respect, and setting goals seemed out of reach—until I discovered my own strengths and found support systems to help manage my risks. The problems facing our youth are huge and complicated; they must be tackled with a holistic strategy that addresses not only the symptoms, but also the underlying causes. As my program to develop self-esteem focuses on four points, building a healthy self-image, respecting yourself and others, setting goals, and recognizing the support around you, we are giving students basic lessons and skills that will help them through their own self-discovery process, self-esteem issues and ultimately empowering them to combat larger issues.

Studies show that low self-esteem is often found in youth struggling with disabilities, obesity, poverty, and homosexuality. Military children whose parents are injured or killed in combat fight their own wars of emotional and psychological distress.  Many studies are showing that low self-esteem is the root of many serious problems including harassment, bullying and hate crimes – especially against LGBT youth, dating violence, teenage pregnancy, cyberbullying, eating disorders, drugs, and suicide. I believe that by raising our children’s self-esteem we can begin to combat underlying problems that can quickly transform into these complex issues that are becoming more and more prevalent in our society.

Over the last 5 years, I have developed a program and curriculum called “Discovering You!”©, reviewed by a family psychologist, an esteemed educator and a marketing expert, which was ultimately adopted by The YMCA of Greater Toledo. Within the 4 week program, trained student volunteers from the University of Toledo YMCA lead classrooms in lessons and activities that are built around the four basic points of my platform.  In 2008, “Discovering You!”©, received a grant from YIPEE! (Youth In Philanthropy Encouraging Excellence), which will allow us to continue our work through the University YMCA.

I have had many amazing opportunities as Miss Ohio, speaking to schools and organizations, and participating in grassroots work with Advocates for Youth, Boys & Girls Clubs, the Congressional Leadership of Ohio, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC), Office of Safe & Drug Free Schools, Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, the Thank You Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, Voices for America’s Children, Youth Advocacy Program Inc., Youth Service America, and the YMCA, in addition to the continued work of “Discovering You!”©. I have learned firsthand that there is a direct relationship between at-risk teens and low self-esteem and our children need help to be empowered by their own personal achievement, not negative action.  The time to help our kids is now.

Becky Minger
Miss Ohio 2010