15 Saipan students attend Guam anti-drug conference

 Fifteen members of the Youth Advisory Panel of Marianas High School and one Saipan Southern High School student recently attended the 22nd annual Youth for Youth Conference in Guam, thanks to the Department of Youth Services and the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Task Force.

The conference, with the theme “2012: Time For Change,” was held at the Hyatt Regency in Tamuning from April 27 to 29, 2012.

Youth for Youth started in May 1988 and was co-founded by Bobbie Benavente and Gayle Osborne. The organization is a youth-centered, youth-driven, and a community-based prevention program that advocates for a drug-free lifestyle. Every year, they host a conference for youths from all over the Pacific. This year, students from the CNMI and Marshall Islands attended.

The program allows teens to participate in many prevention programs, implementations, and evaluations (such as leadership roles, being a team player, online safety, safe sex, bullying, anger management, and many more). Many life skills are also learned.

Comments from some of the participants:
* Daniel Cha, senior: “The family group activities such as sharing a personal story and how they coped with it made me feel closer to allow the bond and trust to be there.”
* Bruce Li, freshman and YAP president: “The conference was like a puzzle piece that came together very smoothly. The program made you realize that the world cannot end simply in 2012. New changes will take effect during this era but we need to work together.”
* Nelisa Brel, junior and YAP vice president: “The best part of the conference was the message that the keynote speaker Josephine gave on the second day. Storytelling is a release that can lighten the burdens of life. Everyone has a story that has a way to touch others. If our stories aren’t heard then there is no benefit to someone else who might just be feeling the same thing. Insecurity, guilt, anger, and more negative energy could creep up on you and control your life. Yet we have the power to use our stories to bless other youth. We have the ability to say we are stronger than the challenges we face.”
* Thomasa Naraja, junior: “It made me realize that the youth plays a big role in this world. They have inspired me to confront these troubles in order to make a difference among our youth.”
* Jorem Guardian, sophomore: “I was able to understand more clearly the problems the youth face not just [on] Saipan, but many other communities in the Pacific as well. The best solution to facing your problems is talking to someone about it. You are never alone.”
* Sierra Benavente, junior: Being part of a large high school puts much effort on our hands to show our island that the youth are leaders who can open bigger doors that will determine which life we take and how we live our life for today and tomorrow.”
* Maria Theresa Dizon, freshman, class president and YAP treasurer” “It all started from the EUDL program that supports the prevention of underage drinking. The peer-driven strategies used at the conference were good and we were all blessed to attend. The conference has truly made a difference in my life.”

Other participants were Jimin Cheon, Magdiel Corpuz, Kelly Demapan, Aiko Erungel, Jacklyn Garote, David Anthony Hosono II, Lisascheeyong Iginoef, Joseph Ngeskebei, and Carl John Tabucol.

The chaperones were Janice Muna, Hazel Grace Tudela, Jacklyn Mendiola, Jennifer Tanaka, and Sharma Iginoef. The group also acknowledged the assistance and support of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Melvin Faisao, Department of Youth Services, Marianas High School, and Saipan Southern High School. (Carl John Tabucol)