On a rainy Saturday afternoon of January 15th, a young and impressionable crowd of teenagers were found rapt in amazement by the often tear-jerking pasts of influential mentors baring their histories and imparting lessons learned at the latest Chumz guest speaker event.

The star of the event was Shawn Dove, Vice President of the Mentoring Partnership of New York, of which Chumz Corp. is an Associate Member. Mr. Dove stormed onto the platform and, instead of receiving applause, gave two standing ovations targeted toward all of the audience. Both ovations served as an encouragement and reminder that above anyone, you yourself are your biggest motivator.

What started off as a motivating speech quickly evolved into a strategy session in which Mr. Dove taught about practical approaches toward successful living. He imparted strategies on how to organize your life independently, how to find influential mentors, and how to stay invigorated about life even after certain hurdles or obstacles. One of the most original things Mr. Dove demonstrated was a juggling game with tennis balls being juggled within a circle of five kids. The game symbolized the need for trust in others and organization within yourself.

The most important message that I came away with as a teenager was “Don’t get bitter, get better”. After suffering from a long week of disappointments, I needed to hear that from Mr. Dove so that I could understand that it wasn’t the end of the world to lose at a lousy science fair or do poorly on that one test that I studied four hours for. “Don’t get bitter, get better” resonated with me and helped me start anew at least for that next week. I would not let past failures hold me back from my promising future.

The workshop was quite personal and as a result profound because it touched the kids in the audience on different levels depending on what they were going through at that point in their lives. Sipping my hot chocolate and munching on my gingerbread cookie man (courtesy of Starbucks Coffee), this indeed was one of the most impacting sessions of my life.

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On a rainy Saturday afternoon of January 15th, a young and impressionable crowd of teenagers were found rapt in amazement by the often tear-jerking pasts of influential mentors baring their histories and imparting lessons learned at the latest Chumz guest speaker event.

The star of the event was Shawn Dove, Vice President of the Mentoring Partnership of New York, of which Chumz Corp. is an Associate Member. Mr. Dove stormed onto the platform and, instead of receiving applause, gave two standing ovations targeted toward all of the audience. Both ovations served as an encouragement and reminder that above anyone, you yourself are your biggest motivator.

What started off as a motivating speech quickly evolved into a strategy session in which Mr. Dove taught about practical approaches toward successful living. He imparted strategies on how to organize your life independently, how to find influential mentors, and how to stay invigorated about life even after certain hurdles or obstacles. One of the most original things Mr. Dove demonstrated was a juggling game with tennis balls being juggled within a circle of five kids. The game symbolized the need for trust in others and organization within yourself.

The most important message that I came away with as a teenager was “Don’t get bitter, get better”. After suffering from a long week of disappointments, I needed to hear that from Mr. Dove so that I could understand that it wasn’t the end of the world to lose at a lousy science fair or do poorly on that one test that I studied four hours for. “Don’t get bitter, get better” resonated with me and helped me start anew at least for that next week. I would not let past failures hold me back from my promising future.

The workshop was quite personal and as a result profound because it touched the kids in the audience on different levels depending on what they were going through at that point in their lives. Sipping my hot chocolate and munching on my gingerbread cookie man (courtesy of Starbucks Coffee), this indeed was one of the most impacting sessions of my life.

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As a teenager in high school, I know what drugs can do to a youngster; not by personal experience but by the things I see around me. Drugs have become a malicious escape for teens. As I write this article, I am sitting at a lunch table at my school. I’m surrounded by teens my age (15-17). It’s scary estimating howmany of them are "high".

But why do they get high? Some say getting high makes them forget about their problems, others say it’s a refuge where they hide, "it’s a way of running away, without having to run."

Teens start using drugs for several reasons. Some of them are: peer pressure; problems at home; problems with a boy or girlfriend; low self-esteem; experimenting with new things and drug-dealing. I think most teens that use drugs also sell them or work for someone who does.

Perhaps drugs are actually a way of making troubled teens feel better about themselves and forget their problems. However, don’t they realize that their problems are still going to be there once the high is over? Isn’t it better to face your demons and approach life as a FIGHTER....not a QUITTER?

Not everyone has the strength to say “NO” and will go along with the crowd while others will decide what is in their best interest. And as an adolescent, I can understand why in a moment of desperation and helplessness a teen decides to take the easy way out. But all teens should know the statistics so that they don’t become one.

Here are some Teen statistics on DRUG USE:

• In 2001, an estimated 8.1 million (3.6 percent) of Americans aged 12 or older had tried "Ecstasy" at least once in their lifetime.
• In 2002, 53% of twelfth graders reported having used an illicit drug in their lifetime.
• Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug. In 2001, it was used by 76 percent of current illicit drug users.
• Among youths aged 12 to 17, the rate of current illicit drug use was higher for boys (11.4 percent) than for girls (10.2 percent).
• Eighty-eight million Americans ages 12 and older reported some use of an illicit drug at least once in their lifetime. Of those, 14.8 million had used an illicit drug in the past month.
• One in five eight-graders have sniffed a household product to get high. (1999)

Think about it...
Do you want to become a Teen statistic?
What's your ANTI-DRUG?

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Now that the New Year is here, most high school seniors are finished with their college applications. However, there is still stuff to do. The heaviest burden is behind you, and that is a relief, but our next hurdles are filling out financial aid forms, finding scholarships, and preparing for the wait.

One of the biggest questions on students’ minds during their last year in high school is: Can I afford to go to College? In January, one of the responsibilities of a high school senior is to apply for financial aid with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA application can be found in your school’s college office or filled out on their website, www.fafsa.ed.gov. This application is very important, because without it you will not qualify for federal grants. The FAFSA application should be filled out as soon as possible so that paying for your dream college becomes less of a financial hassle.

Since the beginning of the school year you should have already been looking for scholarships you qualify for. If you haven’t, you should start now; scholarships are great because it is money you can use for your tuition or other college expenses and you don’t have to pay it back. You will be able to find scholarship information at your school’s college office. If not, there are Web sites that can help you. Some useful Web sites to assist you in your search for scholarships are, www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com, or the scholarship page at www.collegeboard.com. You will be able to find scholarships that that you qualify for, helping you further pay for college expenses.

Finishing your college applications is only half the battle. A helpful hint to all seniors at this point is to stay focused on what you need to get done and ensure a good high school ending and a successful college beginning. College preparation can be a big burden but don’t forget that you are still in high school and that you need to make sure you graduate. Stay focused on your school work so that a case of “senioritis” doesn’t sway your dedication. Although graduation is soon approaching, you can still enjoy yourself and finish high school on a high note.

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The dreaded “Freshman Fifteen” is no myth. In the beginning of the average college student’s first year away from home, he/she will gain ten to fifteen pounds.

Whether college is still a long road away for some and a shorter road for others, the pattern of regular gym classes and side salad lunches have us all spoiled. We might not appreciate it now, but there will come a time when physical education is no longer a required component in our schedule and the closest thing to nutrition is a fast food place down the block from our college. Then, we will start regretting that we neglected to fit a personal regular workout routine into our schedule.

However, the good news is, you can start anytime. Most people complain that the hardest part about exercising is maintaining a regular workout schedule. You might start working out three times a week for the first two weeks, but after a while, the motivation for staying fit gradually melts away, and it’s back to Cheetos and Hershey bars for breakfast once again.

The best way is to always start out slow with less strenuous exercises. Perhaps you may want to start out with a bit of jogging. Many feel that the morning is the best time for a jog since the workout rejuvenates and jumpstarts the mind and the shower afterward is refreshing. However, if you are like me, possibly the most incorrigible morning person to ever roll out of the bed, a better time might be during the evening when you can appreciate the amazing backdrop of a beautiful sunset and cool air on your face.

If the thought of running around your neighborhood makes you feel self-conscious, upload your favorite fast paced, pumping songs into a portable music player and bring it along for the run. The music will help you to block out the stares of onlookers and distract you from constantly wondering when it is time to stop. The trick is to find the most comfortable atmosphere to exercise in since a positive experience would motivate you to establish a routine. Also, by starting out slowly, you are less likely to overexert yourself and more likely to have an enjoyable experience and stick with your routine.

Aside from running, there are other alternatives to exercise. The YMCA, for example, has a gym stocked with treadmills, weights and weekly classes in pilates, step aerobics, kickboxing and others. They also have basketball courts and swimming pools, accessible to every age group.

Also, food should be given an equal level of importance as exercise in staying fit. While there is no harm in the occasional indulgence (a Reeses cup for snack, a slice of apple pie with lunch or ice cream after dinner), the damage comes from having it on a regular basis. In other words, if a bowl of ice cream is substituted for a whole meal repeatedly, then you can expect your favorite pair of jeans to be a little difficult to squeeze into.

After reading various fitness magazines and attending fitness classes for 6 months, the advice for food consumption boils down to the following:

• Drink lots of water - It not only keeps the body hydrated but it distracts those busy fingers from rummaging through a bag of chips even when you aren’t hungry.
• Eat more frequently and in smaller portions - Only in America does the food industry tempt the appetite of hungry customers with super size offers. Eating more frequently and in smaller portions ensures that you will never stuff yourself to the point where you feel bloated.
• Take smaller bites - With less than an hour for lunch, nearly everybody feels the pressure to scarf down that sandwich as quickly as possible, but doing so not only takes away the pleasure of tasting every morsel of the food, but you become hungrier sooner. The food’s not going to run away. Take the time to chew your food and let your taste buds acknowledge the individual flavors and textures of your meal. Life is good.

Throughout every workout and meal, the important thing to keep in mind is that the goal is to build a healthier lifestyle, not to lose substantial amounts of weight. Maintaining good health will not only affect your physical self image, but it will also have you mentally charged and ready to tackle anything. If you can keep a regular routine, you are in a better position to master that class project, complete your term papers and assignments or even stay on top of your never-ending “to-do” list.

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