Author and syndicated columnist Cherie Bennett recently addressed the students at Ramona Convent High School in Alhambra, giving the young women plenty of information and inspiration.

"It's the first time she has ever visited us," says Julie Huntley from the school. "She was very encouraging to the girls and her presentation was a good discussion about body images taken from her book, 'Life in the Fat Lane.'"

In her Jan. 28 talk at a school-wide assembly, Bennett about how mangled American values are when it comes to beauty and women. "She described how American society sends young women mixed messages about how they should look," says Huntley. "[Bennett] brought up many issues that our teachers have been stressing throughout the school year."

Huntely said that the girls were very impressed with Bennett's style that - for young teenage girls - was very approachable. "[Bennett] seems to have a gift of speaking their language," she says. "She manages to make those connection with young women."

Following Bennett's presentation, seventh and eighth graders were invited to participate in a workshop that discussed moral dilemmas and choice making. Bennett facilitated the workshop with her husband Jeff Gotteseld who, with Bennett, co-authored the book "Anne Frank and Me."

Students were asked to put themselves in the shoes of those Jewish sympathizers during World War Two who hid families like Anne Frank's. "The workshop really got a lot of the students thinking about where and what their values are," says Huntley who added that the timing of the workshop tied in nicely with student's current Holocaust studies.

Ramona librarian Aniko Sekete, says Huntley, "doggedly pursued Bennett to come visit our school," she says. "We were all very energized and inspired by her, and we hope she will return."