This program was based off an incredible episode of the hit show 'Glee'. In the episode the main characters reveal what it is about themselves they are most insecure about. This lead them to have feelings of self-loathing and begin to have feelings of wanting to change those things about them that they don't find appealing. However, as the show goes on they learn that those unappealing features are the features they love most about themselves. Along with songs from major pop star Lady Gaga the characters model their features they find their insecure yet defining features by singing and modeling t-shirts with insecurities such as, 'NOSE,'CAN'T DANCE', 'CAN'T SING',I'M WITH STUPID, and more. Lady Gaga's song Born This Way is the anthem promoted by the Glee stars, this episode is a very powerful one and sends an incredible self-love and self- appreciation message to it's viewers. Carissa and her partner took this episode and it's message and brought it to life on Western Oregon University's campus for everyone from all backgrounds to come together and show themselves some self-appreciation.

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The program took place in the WUC(Werner University Center) in a central location that a large population of on-campus and off-campus students could reach. The room was set up with tables grouped together with shirt markers of different colors on them. At the front of the room you could pick out your whit t-shirt and a piece of cardboard so as to not bleed the marker to the back of the shirt.

Right off there was a great feeling in the room, Lady Gaga Pandora was playing so lot's of upbeat inspirational songs were were throughout the room. Around the room posters were up of the insecure features had by the Glee characters. This was great to see what they felt were insecure features, and to help us to think of something we wanted to appreciate about ourselves.

People came in in groups and sat down to brainstorm their t-shirt ideas. While people were coloring in their shirts there was popcorn available to eat. Along with the popcorn facilitators went around socializing with everyone and talking to them about the program and the foundation they were sponsoring at the event called The Trevor Project. This group helps to provide services and counseling to youth within the LGBTQ community in hope of preventing suicides. The facilitators provided brochures, stickers, and pins supporting the Trevor Project and accepted donations for the organization.

In the show the Glee characters do somewhat of a musical runway number sporting their t-shirts with their insecurities on them. So there was this offered also. In the center of the room there were chairs and a runway area. After everyone had made their shirts people got the opportunity to walk the runway sporting their new shirts, and rocking their insecurities for everyone to see. This was a hit seeing that people were so open with their insecurities and there was a great vibe in the room being created by everyone greeting and supporting each other in our creations.

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This programs main goal was to show that while we are all different we can only love one another if we love ourselves. It used a huge success of an idea created by Glee and gave students the opportunity to rock their 'Born This Way' t-shirts for everyone to see. This really gave people the feeling that they could love all of themselves including their insecurities.

While that was the main goal, a huge goal of the program was to bring awareness to The Trevor Project. Throughout the Glee episode two of the characters battle with their openness about being out of the closet as gay/lesbian. The Trevor Project works to help youth within the LGBTQ community to feel safe and secure with themselves. There is a huge pandemic of youth being rejected by their families and peers which has caused a huge suicide and self harm rate with the LGBTQ community. This is a situation that needs attention, and with programs like this helping others to support and appreciate those different from ourselves this pandemic can see a change for the better.

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This is a program that will have touched people in a very deep way. While it may be seem as a t-shirt making program, those who attended walked away with a sense of self-love and a growing love for the differences we all have. Having people around you from all different backgrounds with different religious beliefs, body types, family dynamics, moral views, social cliques built an environment worth staying in.

I know personally I seen others write things about themselves I had never taken notice to, or would have believed them to be insecure about. Some of the insecurities I seen put out there were 'LOVE HANDLES', 'PALE', 'GAYSIAN', 'NERD', and many more. I know mine personally was something I am very insecure about but after writing it on my shirt and having everyone build me up and compliment me and others I felt so positive about mine, which was 'LOVE HANDLES'. Since this program I have seen students sporting their Born This Way t-shirts all over campus.

This program also gave students something to place within their minds and that is the idea that we need to watch what we say to others. That we have no idea what others are going through and how they feel about themselves. Instead we need to build each other with compliments and encouraging words. I believe those who attended received an invaluable experience.

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The program was a huge success, everyone who attended got to make a shirt and got to spend time with their friends and meet new people. The program has been talked about ever since. It was agreed that it should be put on every year, so that people can have a chance to express themselves by means of making these t-shirts.

As for The Trevor Project, awareness was definitely achieved and the word is out. This organization that was not widely known now has their name out across Western Oregon University's campus and the affect has been empowering.

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This program is widely universal and could be done on any campus. No college or school in general doesn't have their issues with acceptance and understanding so this program is a great resource to be enacted on campuses everywhere.

It was costly to get t-shirts but it was well worth the money. Some schools might have bigger budgets but even asking for some co- programming to happen ensures that there will be enough shirts to go around. Each campus has some issue that may be is more prevalent that they can enact that theme into the program.

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