March 5, 2002 – Teen-agers will take the stage at Sen. Lorraine Berry's 8th annual Youth Symposium on March 16, where they will address the questions and challenges posed to them by adult presenters at previous forums.
Sexual abstinence is the theme of this year's symposium, as it has been for the last two — one for high school students in 2000 and another for junior high school students last year. This year's program will be feedback and follow-up. "It's time to ascertain the response of our youth toward this concept," Berry said. "We talked to them before; now, they will talk to us."
Berry is asking all public, private and parochial high school principals and parents of seniors to select students to participate in the forum. Titled "Shattered Dreams versus Achieved Dreams: V.I. Youth Response to Sexual Abstinence," it will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort. The event is being presented in partnership with the Health Department's Youth Adolescent Program.
Last year's symposium was planned for 500 junior high participants; it attracted 700. Speakers discussed "How Your Decisions on Sex, Violence, and Education Can Affect Your Future." Berry is hoping for a similarly strong turnout this year.
The Saturday event opens at 7:30 a.m. for registration and includes breakfast and lunch. There's no charge for participation, including the food service. For further information, contact Joyce Ann Harrigan, Berry's administrative assistant, at 693-3507.