Youth Teach Life-Changing Health Lessons to 250 Peers during University of North Carolina Wilmington Summit
3/6/2008 10:45:15 AM
Because capturing the attention of teens can be challenging for health educators in a world of video games and MTV, youth directly educated 250 of their peers on relevant health issues like teen pregnancy and gang violence during the University of North Carolina Wilmington's first Youth Health Summit.
On March 5, underrepresented and underserved seventh and eighth graders from Duplin, Onslow, Columbus and New Hanover counties were empowered by the topical research of Camp BONES (Brigade of Nurse Exploring Seahawks) students. Camp BONES is a nursing and health academy aimed at academically preparing teens for college and the nursing and health science professions.
Camp BONES peer educator Donisha Bowens said, "It was incredible. We actually got to teach people our age. They can feel what we are talking about and are more likely to listen to us. It really helps me have confidence."
Thought-provoking simulations exposed students to everything from gang initiation practices to the challenge of pursuing a job with a tainted criminal record.
"The lesson on tobacco was the most useful to me. We tried to breathe through a straw to see how hard it was to live with emphysema and learned about all the thousands of chemicals in cigarettes. I definitely don't want to smoke now," said Onslow county eighth grader Ashiana Farrior.
Duplin county eighth grader Kathleen Rouse said, "I learned what an abusive relationship looks like and that you shouldn't just take it. You need to say something about it and get help."
Janie Canty-Mitchell, UNC Wilmington School of Nursing associate dean of research and community partnerships said, "Guided by faculty, BONES students identified health problems plaguing the teens in their own schools and identified viable solutions that their peers can incorporate. We are focused on addressing the health and social issues facing the next generation of leaders."
Farrior said, "I will always remember this. I think I can take every little piece of knowledge someone shared here and use it to change someone else's life."
Interactive workshops were also facilitated by UNC Wilmington graduate Travis Corpening, founder of at-risk and minority youth programs Youth Unlimited Programs, Inc. (YUP!) and SHAPER and local youth education groups.
The summit was sponsored by the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation, Wilmington Health Access for Teens (WHAT), and the UNC Wilmington School of Nursing and CROSSROADS substance abuse program. Camp BONES is a partnership between UNC Wilmington, Southeastern Area Health Education Center (SEAHEC) and New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
