325 students take part in youth dev’t summit

The 3rd Annual Youth Development Summit was held Saturday at Chacha Oceanview Junior High School, with 325 students and 50 community adult volunteers, exhibitors, and DYS staff participating.

The summit, which had the theme “Teen Nation: Strengthening Youth Through Strong Youth Partnership,” was part of activities lined up for the 2009 Parent Leadership Month. Held in partnership with the Youth Development Program under the Division of Services and Department of Community & Cultural Affairs, Saturday’s activity also brought in the participation of Teen Talk and Tweens Talk Too, from the CNMI Public School’s System’s Youth Development Program, Ayuda Network Inc., NMC-CREES, and other government agencies.

Sharleen Crisostimo, PSS Teen Talk and Tweens Talk Too adviser, said in an e-mail message that participants were able to use the powerful influence and creativity of teens to turn peer pressure from a negative to a positive. Participants also learned effective leadership and goal setting skills.

“Participants were able to learn clear messages that it is their responsibility to say ‘No’ to alcohol, and other forms of drugs, violence, sexual activity and other forms of negative behavior and they were empowered through availing the educational resources from various youth services providers,” Crisostimo said.

The summit featured workshops on Suicide Prevention & Self Mutilation; Alcohol Prevention/Peer Pressure; Tobacco Prevention/Peer Pressure; Wellness: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity; Wellness: Emotional and Mental, Stress Management; STD’s/HIV Prevention; Teen Pregnancy Prevention & Healthy Relationships/Peer Pressure; Communication and Improvement; Goal Setting, Time Management & College Preparation; and Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Questioning Youth.

The inspirational speaker was Ivan Mereb, STUCO president at the Northern Marianas College.

Exhibitors included NMC-CREES, NMC- Educational Talent Search Program, Division of Youth Services, DPS DARE/LEEP, HIV Prevention Program, Community Guidance Center, Workforce Investment Agency, Domestic Violence Intervention Center

The 3rd Annual Youth Development Summit Committee members include Debra A. Inos, chairperson, DYS, Youth Development Program Coordinator; Sharleen Crisostimo, vice chairperson, PSS Teen Talk and Tweens Talk Too adviser; Rose Castro and Polly Omechelang, NMC-CREES; and Diane Camacho, Ayuda Network Inc. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]