Medical Mall and others educate students, teachers about teen issues during summit

 

Mind-provoking, well-organized, an outstanding educational experience… these are just some of the phrases that describe the “Empowering Minds, Saving Lives” Teen Summit 2009 sponsored by the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation, the Mississippi State Department of Health, and several other local agencies. 

Nearly 400 metro-area high school students took part in the event, which offered important information on issues teenagers face on a daily basis including, but not limited to, teen pregnancy, STDs and HIV/AIDS, violence prevention, school dropout, drug abuse, suicide and depression, and most importantly, building self-esteem, self-worth, and self-value. 

Tricee Townsend, a senior at Bailey Magnet High School says the two most important lessons she learned was in regards to sex and violence.  “I learned that the best thing to do is to remain abstinent and it’s better to control myself because something bad could happen to me or another person at any given time,” explains Townsend, who also performed her hit song, “If I Could Turn Back the Hands of Time” during the teen summit.

Students were not the only persons who benefited from the spectacular event.  “I really enjoyed the program,” says Ray Sims II, DMC Coordinator for the Division of Public Safety Planning/Office of Justice Programs in Mississippi.  “It opened my eyes a little wider on some things about our youth.”

 “Empowering Minds, Saving Lives” Teen Summit 2009 consisted of various

‘pop-quizzes’ that tested students on their knowledge of teen statistics given throughout the event.  For example, at the start of the program students demonstrated statistics that directly affected them.  One of the most surprising statistics, according to the students, is that one in two sexually active youth will contract an STD by age 25. This was demonstrated by having all teenagers stand-up, reading the statistic aloud, then having half of the room sit down.  Correct answerers to the pop quiz questions received prizes.

            In addition to the statistics and pop-quizzes, Jackson State University’s MADDRAMA performed a skit that touched the students entitled, “There’s a War Going On.”  Expert panelists also intrigued the audience with answers to real-life situations and awareness and prevention tips during the open-mic forum.

            Panelist Juanita Davis, Director of STD/HIV Prevention and Education for the Mississippi State Department of Health, says the summit could not have come at a better time.  “The teens’ actions and remarks during the panel discussion demonstrated the dire need for prevention and intervention,” says Davis.  “Self-efficacy is a positive attribute for our teens and we must continue to explore avenues to address their needs.”

            At the end of the summit, three Jackson public high schools participated in the teen summit school competition, with a 3-male music group from Lanier High School winning first place.  A senior poet from Jim Hill High School garnered second place and a group of students from Provine High School placed third with posters and a skit that mocked the theme of the summit, “You Choose: Making the Right Choice for your Life.”  Those posters currently hang on “Kids Corner” of the Jackson Medical Mall Thad Cochran Center. The winners received a $50, $40, $30 gift card as well as a laptop computer, color copier/printer/scanner, and digital camera, respectively.

            “Empowering Minds, Saving Lives” Teen Summit 2009 was in conjunction with “Fresh Start” 2009 Career and College Fair.  So, students were also able to get admission information from all of the state colleges and universities and employment information from various Mississippi businesses.  Hundreds of Mississippians piled in the common area of the Medical Mall to take advantage of the one-stop shop to find jobs.

            For more information, interviews, or photographs from either event, please contact Jackson Medical Mall Foundation Public Relations Manager Zakiya Summers at (601) 982-8467.

Teen Summit Partners include: My Brother’s Keeper, Inc., Mississippi Urban Research Center, Metro Jackson Community Prevention Coalition, Hinds Behavioral Health Services Children’s Services Division, Mississippi State Department of Health Office of Child and Adolescent Health, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Stork’s Nest, United Way of the Capital Area, Mississippi Children Home Services, Perico Institute for Youth Development and Entrepreneurship (PRIYDE), MADDRAMA, PIP Printing & Document Services, OurGlass Entertainment,  and Jackson Public Schools Safe & Drug-Free Division.

“Fresh Start” 2009 Career & College Fair was sponsored by the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation, WRBJ 97.7 FM Radio, and 16-WAPT.