I’ve been pushed around because of my height, but modeling  and making a difference are my passion. I’ve been looked into by various modeling agencies, but I was immediately shunned due to my height.  How is that fair?

I understand that the modeling world is a dog eat dog world, and they want the cream of the crop, but it’s time for a revolution. Shorter people should get a chance, too! I’m 5’2, a measly 5 inches below standard requirements, that’s less than a dollar bill. I can’t help the fact I’m shorter nor can I change it. I’ve been turned away from auditions, modeling, everything because of less than a dollar bill.

 I want to pursue a career in acting, singing, and modeling, but to get kick started , I have to get ‘discovered’ and modeling is the idea way to go. I understand it takes time and effort, and I’m 100% willing to give that, but how can I if they won’t give me a chance to show what I’ve got? There are a lot of ‘short’ people out there, so many that ‘short’ is becoming the new average! So why not appeal to us shorter women?  I polled several women from varied heights in dressing rooms at different stores. Some were leaving the store with purchases, and some weren’t . I asked, “If you see a piece of clothing on a tall model that you want to try on, are you more or less inclined to try it on?” 75% of them said they were less inclined, when I asked why, there were different answers but to sum it up: when they see a ‘tall’ model in something they like, they can’t imagine themselves looking like that, because they’ve got such a different sized bodies than the model,  so they’re discouraged. We need to appeal to more varieties of men and women, just like we have with weight, but with height this time! Just because we’re a little shorter than the next girl in line doesn’t mean we lack the talents! So give us a chance!

Sure, it might ‘lower’ the bar of modeling, but we won’t be changing any of the restrictions or requirements other than that., you’ll still get quality models, just like before. Won’t it make women feel more inclined to buy these clothes, because they can relate more? Isn’t that what we’ve been striving for? I know that that’s what my generation is going for.

When you get right down to it, turning us away before we’ve even had a chance is plain discrimination, and our constitution protects us all from that, no matter shape OR size. It’s like turning away a perfectly good girl, because she’s black, or she’s white, or she’s got the wrong color eyes:

She can’t help it.  It doesn’t make sense. We can’t change those physical attributes, we were born with it in our genes. We may have as much talent as their top model, but they’ll never know, because they didn’t have to look up to look at us, so they walked on by. If they accepted us in, you’d still have just as much talent, if not more of it. It wouldn’t have docked you anything, it might even gain you the support of more people and organizations. It could be viewed as ‘becoming more humanized,’ like media is requesting.

You could put me in some heels and I’d be just as tall as the other girls,  and you couldn’t really tell that I was a few inches shorter in a photo shoot. The same goes for flats, but either way, I’d still have the exact same amount of talent I had before. No matter what you put me in, I’d be the same spunky girl, with the passion for fashion.

Maybe girls could even relate to models more, and improve their self-esteem and likelihood to by the companies products that the models were advertising.

Allowing shorter models could even expand companies horizon, support bases, and reach more customers.

So why not give us a chance? I have just as much potential as the next girl.

Start the revolution, change the world.

 I hate that yellow jumper.

 My mum put matching yellow socks just next to the yellow jumper...great.

 I take the yellow jumper off and put my favorite pair of jeans on. They are my favorite because I was the one that chose them, which I don't get to do very often.

I shoved the sun bright yellow jumper under the bed and looked quickly for a another jumper in my shared wardrobe. Between all the small floral dresses I found a blue cardigan that I think would go perfect with my favorite jeans.

I don't get a chance to analyze myself as much today. I can hear mum shouting from downstairs.

 -Nova, breakfast is ready!

 The empty expression staring back at me never frightens me. It's like an empty glass but it has become a part of me now, it has become my friend...my only friend.

I normally start from my short fat toes and then move up to my poking out knees, then to my tooth pick thighs and boyish hips. I always stop there for a while and just stare, stare until I can't stare anymore.

I wish my thoughts and imaginations could penetrate through my eyes and send its radiations to my thighs and hips and make them wider.

I wish my eyes were like open doors so my imagination could escape and turn to reality.

I move my gaze to my face... I can see what Jason said about my chubby cheeks and my full lips that takes over my lower face and makes my chin drown.

Then I look at my big blue eyes that seem to have a little more spirit into it. Maybe it's the blue cardigan that...

 -Nova!

I'm surprised mum didn't comment on the change of jumper. Her and dad are always in a hurry in the morning.

 I don't even know why I bother brushing my teeth in the morning. I won't smile or talk today anyway like all the other days.

 The green leaves are all bathing in the sunlight while they are dancing in the calming cold breeze. I do like spring.

I was so caught up in my admiration that I didn't see Luke and Lisa coming. I have no time to hide, oh why is there not a big cave behind the bus stop!

My hands starts to sweat and my whole inner is in chaos including my heart pounding stressfully. I look calm and collected from the   outside.

I can hear their steps getting closer and closer. I look right as they are coming towards my left. Here we go again...

 -Hi Nova.

-Your cardigan suits you.

 The awkward silence has been going on for too long. I feel letters coming up from my dry throat.

 -Thanks

 Maybe it was a good idea I brushed my teeth today because I'm smiling like never before.

Night

I am such a loser.

Look at me. Look at my life. I'm graduating. I'm turning eighteen. I'm sick. Nothing is sound anymore. I can't just live anymore. I can't just make the best of what I have because I don't have anything anymore.

I am losing the chance to go to Kenya, losing it every day. And every day I think of new things, things I did and saw when I was there last time that I may never do and see again.

I want someone to tell my troubles to. At night, when everything rushes down on me, I know I must tell someone. But there is no one to tell.

Is all lost?

Right now I'm thinking maybe I should learn to do that cool thing they do in movies where they scream so loud all the glass breaks. Or maybe they sing really high and screechy but I don't feel like singing high and screechy. I feel like screaming so loud all the glass breaks. How awesome would that be?

This is an excerpt from Emily Smucker's memoir, Emily, about her struggles with West Nile virus. The memoir is part of the "Louder Than Words" series, that publishes memoirs of teen girls. For more information you can visit www.louderthanwordsbooks.com.

We also got the opportunity to interview Emily, so check out her answers below:

Why did you decide to start blogging?

I started blogging because all my friends were doing it. I kept it up because I loved it.

How did you get the opportunity to turn your blog into a book?

When I applied to the Louder Than Words series, I gave Debbie, the editor, a link to my blog. She was intrigued. When I was chosen to write my memoir, Debbie asked me how I would feel about using material from my blog for the basis of my book. I loved the idea!

What is it like to have a book published at such a young age?

It's certainly exciting! I like the way that adult writers actually take me seriously as a writer now.

What are you doing with your life right now and what are your plans for the future?

I've had to move around a lot for heath reasons. Right now I am living in Virginia with my Aunt and Uncle. There is a little private college in the neighboring town that I really really really want to go to this fall. Being in one place for four years would be amazing!

What is your favorite book?

Peter Pan. Love that book.

Are you still experiencing the symptoms of West Nile virus?

Yes, I am. I still get tired very easily. However, I am getting better. As I said before, I'm hoping to be well enough to start college this fall. I'm so excited!

What one piece of advice would you like to give to teen girls?

Keep a diary! You can keep track of the way you grow and change, and who knows? You may need it for when you write your memoir.

Read Emily's blog and buy her memoir at http://emilysmucker.wordpress.com/

Mercy:

Why do you think it is important for girls to love their unique physical appearances?

There are so many different "pretties" in the world. It's much more fun to like being the "pretty" that you are than let other people make you feel bad about it. If you can't think nice things about yourself, you probably won't think nice things about other people. I think you should be your biggest fan and not be your meanest bully.

What suggestions do you have for girls to build their self esteem?

When you are with people who make you happy, it's easier to be happy with yourself. When you are happy with yourself, your self esteem gets stronger.I think who you hang out with is important. Don't hang out with people that put you down, make fun of you and try to squash your excitement. Hang out with kids who are not constantly putting themselves down and don't like to talk bad about other people, kids with the same interest (like sports, dance, or music) kids who want build to themselves or share the same kinds of goals.

Emily:

What kind of role models do you think girls should have?

I think they should have people who stand up for themselves, who are strong willed and also give back to the community. People who actually help out and don't just talk about it.

How can teens become more informed about what is going on in the world around them?

I put key words of things I care about into Google searches and find websites of groups or events where I can go and talk to the people who are actually involved in the news you hear about. You can also find ways to get involved and travel by using internet searches.