YouTube personality visits local middle and high schools

Fashion designer and YouTube personality Bethany Mota decided she wanted to mix things up during her Motavatour nationwide bus tour this month.

In response to an email she received from Braden Middle School Counselor Traci Cristello, which asked her to talk to middle and high school girls about bullying, Mota decided to stop at two East County schools Feb. 3. Her tour otherwise consists of appearances at Aeropostale store locations — the retailer that carries her clothing line — and will wrap up later this month.

Themes of being yourself, and "it's OK to be weird," received thunderous applause from the Braden Middle gymnasium full of screaming sixth- through eighth-grade girls.

"My fans are my best friends," Mota said.

Since she created her YouTube channel in 2009, Mota has made five million new friends.

Released Feb. 2, The Bethany Mota Collection now has a spring line available for purchase, which includes a Motavatour necklace — the phrase her fans made up, combining Mota, motivate and tour.

While Mota hasn't told her fans where she will be next, clues will be released on her YouTube and Twitter accounts days before her next stop. 

Visit Mota's channel for do it yourself Valentine's Day projects  www.youtube.com/watch.

Contact Amanda Sebastiano at [email protected].