SSHS Senior Awarded Scholarship for Philanthropic Work

You’re never too old to feel pretty.

That’s the message driving GlamourGals, an organization that brings young girls and senior citizens together through makeup. But, as those in charge are quick to point out, the makeup is only an avenue that leads to a much deeper connection.

“We provide an intergenerational experience,” said New York City Metro Area Program Director Kavita Mehra. “Our teenage volunteers go into (senior) facilities and provide ongoing companionship to elderly residents. The way that our volunteers are able to connect with this population (in) a meaningful, thoughtful, and compassionate way is by providing residents complementary beauty makeovers.”

Carly Roman, a senior at and president of the school’s GlamourGals chapter, has made the most of her experience with the foundation. On top of volunteering with her chapter at the on a weekly basis, Roman visits a resident named Gloria multiple times a week during her own time, according to the foundation’s website.

Because of that dedication, Roman was awarded a $1,000 college scholarship at the Glammy Scholarship Awards last weekend in New York City. The scholarship was the first one awarded in the over ten-year history of the organization. 

“I was very excited and proud to receive the scholarship,” Roman said. “I have so much respect for everyone at GlamourGals, so being recognized by them is a huge honor.”

Roman is the co-founder of her chapter, working with former president Deana Davoudisl to bring the organization to South Side in 2009. Three years later, Roman is just as passionate about her work with Maple Pointe as she was at the chapters inception. 

“I love how welcoming and appreciative everyone is at Maple Pointe,” Roman said. “I love spending time with people who look forward to our visits and light up when they talk to us. I have made a lot of friends through this club, both young and old.”

Her time with residents at Maple Pointe inspired Roman to conduct a science project entitled Growing Up Feeling Good: Does Positive Psychology Increase Optimism in Senior Citizens? She submitted her findings to the Intel Science Competition. 

“I have always been interested in positive psychology and the idea that a positive attitude can yield positive results,” she said. “I just combined what I was reading about it with my involvement with senior citizens to come up with a program to increase optimism in senior citizens.”

Roman will graduate in June as salutatorian for the class of 2012. She will continue her work in positive psychology as a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania this fall.

“One of the reasons I chose the University of Pennsylvania was because they have the best positive psychology departments in the country,” she said. “I love the school and the location.”

Roman said she is not sure exactly what she’ll be majoring in, but knows it will be in the area of psychology, sociology, or medicine. 

She also plans to start a GlamourGals chapter at UPenn, expanding her influence down the eastern seaboard.