Student influencer Ava Sheppard wants students to stop comparing themselves to others online
One of the Seven Social Standards that The Social Institute believes in is: Finding Your Influencers. This means surrounding yourself with positive role models who support you and encourage you to play to your core. To help students find these positive and credible influences, we began our Student Influencer Program. Each week we select a different student to take over our Instagram and highlight how they act as a positive influence and inspiration in their communities.
This week, we are excited to introduce Ava Sheppard. Ava is a Senior at Providence High School in Charlotte, NC. She is also the Executive President of North Carolina DECA, an organization dedicated to marketing and business education with around 5,000 members from the entire state. In addition to being the President of NC DECA, she is also a year-round athlete. Outside of school activities, Ava is a volunteer at a local exotic bird rescue and works at a retail job. She works hard to strike a balance between learning about herself and her passions while keeping up with the daily grind of school. Ava stresses the importance of taking time off of social media and spending time with her family. This allowed her to stop comparing her life to others that seemed to be perfectly aesthetic. Ava has learned that everyone’s limits and definition of balance is different. Her best advice is to stop trying to be “that girl” you see on social media and be your own version of happy and healthy.
Recently, we interviewed Ava to learn more about her and how social media impacts her life. Here is what she had to say:
What do you value about yourself or others?
I value the way I know my boundaries and having the strength to persevere, but I also have the insight to know when to step away from a situation.
What are your personal goals?
My personal goals include double majoring in nutrition and marketing and then going to dental school and opening my own practice one day!
What are the things you try to accomplish each day?
I try to exercise or find some form of active recovery every day, in addition to drinking lots of water and checking my email (and TikTok).
What or who inspires you most?
I am inspired most by my positive adult role models who have shown me what social and emotional balance and success looks like, and motivated me to work harder for a successful future.
How has social media acted as a positive influence on your life?
Social media has allowed me to discover new interests and opportunities, and connect with people from near and far. I love the ability to celebrate my friends on social media, and I also love taking and editing pictures.
Of our Seven Social standards, which one would you most resonate with and why?
Protect Your Privacy. In our current society it’s an unfortunate reality that many women and girls are being trafficked and sold into inhuman situations. I was raised to avoid the possibility of being in this position by protecting my identity and personal information.
If you could go back and talk to your younger self, what advice would you give to her about navigating social media or social relationships?
I would tell her to stop putting pressure on herself to force relationships and standards as a result of what she sees in the world and on social media. Everyone is totally different in their journeys, and I experienced some tough times trying to force myself to act and look more like other girls.
The Social Institute partners with schools nationwide to empower students, families, and educators to positively navigate their well-being, social media, and technology. Schools access our student-respected, turnkey curriculum through WinAtSocial.com, an interactive, gamified learning platform. With solutions for students, parents, and educators, we offer a systemic and comprehensive social media and student well-being program through a unique and positive approach. We are proud to serve public and independent partners such as Ravenscroft School, Woodward Academy, Oldfields School, All Saints Episcopal School, Lake Forest School District, Boston Public Schools, and more. For more information on how to empower your students to make high-character decisions online and off, please contact us.