Posted on: Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Students put focus on teen pregnancy
By Zenaida Serrano
Advertiser Staff Writer
Sarah Matsumura, 16, knows three teen mothers. And she's aware of others.
"(Students) see it in school, and it's a problem," Matsumura said. "We want to stop it before it gets out of control."
Matsumura was among a group of high schoolers chosen to participate at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program last month at Winners' Camp in Hawai'i Kai. As part of a leadership skill-building activity, the students developed an action plan to address teen pregnancy at high schools throughout the island.
Then they went beyond this step by looking for ways to make their plans come to life. The students hope to produce an educational video for schools, develop fliers, form a speakers bureau of girls who have had difficulties in their lives because of teen pregnancy, and get media attention for the issue.
Known as RYLA, the camp is a program run by Rotary Districts worldwide for young adults and emphasizes leadership, citizenship and personal growth.
"We want the students to walk away from camp knowing that they can make a difference, that they've got a lot of promise and talent, and that people will listen to them," said Dave Berry, RYLA chairman for Rotary District 5000 (Hawai'i).
The students were asked to address a problem teens face. Choices included drug abuse, sex, alcohol, family relationships and stress. The teens focused on teen pregnancy.
For more information on the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program, call 955-6493. Together, the participants developed a plan for how they would help solve the problem as a group.
Often the participants at the Rotary leadership camps simply come up with an action plan — but these students hope to see theirs through. They have formed committees to pursue their goals.
"This is where, even after all of my years of experience, this group amazed me," said Berry, who has been involved with the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards on the Mainland and in Hawai'i for 15 years.
Their unofficial motto became "Kids Listen To Kids," Berry said.
While getting together to work on the project has been a little tricky for the students because they are from all parts of the island, they are hopeful that with a little organization and a lot of dedication, their ideas will come to fruition before the end of the school year.
"With these people, they're really determined," said Matsumura, the Nanakuli junior and the group's project manager. "Their heads are in the right place."
The students' goals are clear but one, in particular, stands out:
"To help at least one young girl," Ly said.
Reach Zenaida Serrano at 535-8174 or zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com.
So it was no surprise to the Nanakuli High junior that a group of nearly 60 students islandwide unanimously chose to address teen pregnancy, out of dozens of teen problems, at a recent Rotary District leadership camp.
Sarah Matsumura
Dave Berry
Catherine Ly
"It's an issue that a lot of adults are afraid to talk about with their kids, which can cause the problem to escalate," said Catherine Ly, 17. The senior at La Pietra-Hawaii School for Girls is one of the group's communications managers.
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