The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Students took #SelfiEsteem Photo Challenge before holidays by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 13 | Friday, July 17, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Scores of Oakville students took to the streets before the school year came to a close, hoping to boost awareness of the importance of self-esteem. The #SelfiEsteem Photo Challenge, which was held by the Oakville Provincial Youth Advisory Committee (OPYAC), tasked 60-70 students with using Oakville's public transit to find their way to sites across town for a photo challenge. Clad in bright pink shirts with the words `#SelfiEsteem' printed on them, the youths encouraged people to approach them and discuss the importance of self-esteem and their own experiences with it. The students also encouraged people to participate in the challenge by taking their own selfies and using the hashtag #SelfiEsteem when posting on various social media platforms with positive captions or quotes. "In this generation of teenagers, we often find that the youths see their own self-worth based on the number of likes they have on social media or how popular they are on the Internet," said Justin Ortiz, a St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School student who participated in #SelfiEsteem. "It is a struggle many people often find themselves living with and not seeing themselves for who they really are or how much they really mean to others." During the challenge, teams of students visited municipal buildings, stores, parks, community centres, libraries, schools and more. Each visit would see the teams spread awareness of the event and snap selfies to prove they were there and collect points. "It's incredible to see these students come together to work on a project that means so much to them and their peers," said Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn, who created the student group OPYAC to engage local youth and get their input on youth issues. "It was such a memorable experience with a lot of meaning and a good purpose behind the entire event," said Ortiz. "Not only were we able to share the importance of self-esteem throughout the town, but I managed to get some daily physical activity in as well. Exploring the town with other students gave me a greater insight of how amazing it is to live in Oakville and how fun it can be to engage with other members of the community," he said. Colour + Inspiration = Home Sweetlegs... Most comfy leggings ever! Come Visit Us Elly's Sweetleg Home Boutique in Oakville Kids, Adults and plus­sizes all available 905-257-2061 478 Dundas St. W., Oakville Visit our website www.PaintersPlace.ca for Promotional discounts Let our team inspire you! Andre Terra Terra Painting Services (647)802-8906 Contact Elly - Independent Sweetlegs Distributor today! elly.keogh03@gmail.com | www.facebook.com/Sweetlegs­Oakville­Elly Brad Jensen Jensen Paint and PaPer 905-829-1040 www.bombaybhelrestaurant.com Indian Cuisine 2525 Hampshire Gate, Oakville, L6H 6C8 newly renovated and now a PERFECT ELECTRIC With a Reliable Potlight Electrician Installation Over 25 Years Experience Connect SALE Residential & Commercial 15% * OFF Certified electricians New construction or Renovation Pot lights & fixture installation New circuits Hot tubs, Panel upgrades Landscape lighting Emergency backup generators Inspections for insurance Free Estimates Licensed & Insured All Work Guaranteed (ECRA/ESA # 7001336) *Cannot be combined with any other offer. Expires Aug 31, 2015. Call us at 905-829-1079 OR 416-806-9113 · Email: paul@perfectelectric.com