MADD is asking teens to take a stand and create a short video to encourage their peers to avoid drinking alcohol and never get in a car with someone who’s been drinking.  The top five finalists will each win a new iPad and a spot in our National Teen Influencer Group made up of teens from across the nation interested in helping tackle this problem.

Teens:  You have the power to influence your friends and make an impact in your school, home and community. The Power of You(th) is the power you hold to save some of the 6,000 lives that are lost each year because of underage drinking.

Deadline to enter is April 27, 2012. Go to www.madd.org/powerofyouth to learn more.

Please help MADD, along with presenting sponsor State Farm Insurance, spread the word about this opportunity for teens to get involved in making a difference and possibly even help save the lives of their peers.

As a part-time employee here and a full-time student at the high school, I feel like many of my peers are missing out on what this building has to offer. If you make the wise choice to come join, you’ll be able to get fit/be active, catch up on your studies from school, and hang out with your friends. Staying fit and active is often a challenge for teenagers in our area. But with the Rec Center’s help, it could be fun and exciting.

First, there is a pool to swim in. Next, the gym is a great place to shoot hoops and play ball. Lastly, there is a fitness center to lift weights and get ripped in. Clearly, the rec center is can make working out an enjoyable experience. The pressures of schoolwork can add up tremendously. The rec center can be an efficient place to get it completed at. We offer programs that can help to understand the material. If you are having problems, someone will be here to assist you. As you can see, getting work done here at the Community Center can be efficient and helpful. Lastly, many kids complain that there isn’t such a place in a Manassas Park where they can hang out. Obviously, they haven’t been exposed to the Teen Center here at the rec center. 

The Teen Center is filled with fun. There are computers, a television, a wii, and much more things to make time here with your friends something that will make you want to come back. All in all, the Teen Center is a great place to come and just kick it with your friends. In conclusion, I believe that with all these services, the Rec Center is an excellent place to invest your time.

Hope to see you here!

Kalman Weinstein, 16

My favorite movies are Transformers 3, Ghost Rider and Hanna. I like those movies because they have reall good action scenes.

Thanks for reading my blog!

Cole

Hello everyone,

How many times have you had someone tell you or read about the importance of being physically healthy and the benefits it brings to your life? If you are like me, then probably many times. I understand that being physically healthy helps the human body become more resistant to cardio vascular diseases such as high cholesterol and diabetes. However, whenever I find myself at a gym running on a treadmill, I can’t help but get bored. I always thought that there had to be a more fun way to do cardio, something that was more engaging. That is when I realized that dancing is a physical activity that works your heart as well as exercising your body’s muscles.

Dancing has always been a part of my life; I first started dancing as a way to express myself through my culture. Being of Hispanic origin I learned to dance all the different types of dances (salsa, merengue, bachata and cumbia) at a young age. I never really looked at dancing as a way to exercise but as something to do for fun at a party or family gathering.  However, when I realized I could dance as a way to stay physically healthy, my work outs became more fun.

A great thing that I like about dancing is the fact that you never get bored with it. There are so many different types of dances you can do that it is always fun to dance. For example, you can unleash your creativity while dancing because there are no rules to dancing. Any move you come up with can easily be incorporated into your dance routine because dancing is an act of expressing oneself. So if you feel like throwing a punch in the while dancing to show your frustration then go ahead and do it! I bet you, you will feel a lot better afterwards. I recommend attending zumba classes as a way to incorporate a fun cardio into your work out. They have just started Zumba for teens, so you should definitely check it out.

See you on the dance floor,

Manuel

I really like to swim beacaue it’s a lot of fun and good exercise. I like going in the deep end because I can do tricks underwater and it doesn’t limit my mobility. Being in the water makes me feel free and I have a lot of fun.

I also like playing tennis. I like playing with my friends because it’s fun and we like to compete against each other.

Hailey, 12

At the time, my sister, Stephanie, was a junior at MPHS and everybody knew me at “Stephanie’s little sister.”  Not that I minded being Stephanie’s little sister, but my name is Heather and it was time for everyone to know that.  This was a chance for me to make my mark and have an identity, but how am I supposed to do that when I don’t even know where to start?  I mean, this school is so big and I am only one person. 

Before I got to MPHS I hung out with the wrong crowds and since I associated myself with trouble makers, people thought I was one also.  I was determined to change that stereotype.  It’s never too late to make a change and try to better yourself.  I had to distance myself from these people who were bringing me down, causing drama, and pushing me to make bad decisions.  I began hanging out with Stephanie and her friends. 

Every Friday night we would go to the Manassas Park Community Center (MPCC) for midnight basketball from 9pm-Midnight.  When we would get into the gym there would be music playing, full court basketball, and teens hanging out everywhere, sitting on the bleachers hanging out, dancing, etc.  I couldn’t believe how many kids my age where there to play ball and hang out.  It was a safe place to go, where MPCC staff (Matt and Tony) chaperoned to keep it safe and organized.  After attending a few Friday nights, I began to build friendships with kids my age who were freshman at MPHS.  I would still hang out with Stephanie, but I felt comfortable going up to the gym without her.  I had found friends who made me feel good and proud about myself.

Once I learned that Midnight Basketball wasn’t the only program that was offered at the Community Center I spoke with Matt and he helped my friends and I sign up for as many as we could.  Another program I will never forget was Leaders in Training (LIT).  LIT met every Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6pm-8pm where we would talk about teen issues and how to handle them maturely.  We would have respected guest speakers from the community come in and talk to us about how to become better leaders, discussing about trust, honesty, integrity, respect, etc.  It gave me an opportunity to meet people like the Mayor of Manassas Park, the Chief of Police, Fire Marshal, etc. 

 It is now my senior year at Stonewall Jackson High School and I still attend the Community Center.  This summer I was a Youth Leader at the 27^th Annual Youth YADAPP week-long Conference at Longwood University.  It is a statewide youth leadership conference designed to empower teams of high school students to develop projects to promote school safety and the prevention of drug use among their peers.  I know that without the friends and staff I gained at MPCC I would not be where I am today or take part is so many life changing opportunities like LIT and YADAPP. 

The Community is a great place where you can go and connect to other teens who know exactly what you are going through. If I were you I would go to MPCC the first chance you get. 

THANKS MANASSAS PARK COMMUNITY CENTER!

 Heather Henry, 17

Back-to-School Shopping:
I remember back to school shopping was such a pain and seemed more like a chore.  But remember, everyone else is doing the same.  It can be hard to find the right sizes and your favorite styles at the most popular stores. I have found it to be less crowded shopping on the weekdays at odd hours. Start at the back of the store, and work your way forward (the great priced items are often hidden in the back). Don’t forget about online shopping! It takes half the time, and you wont have to stand in lines or wait all day.

Tip: If you fall in love with something at a store but it is just too expensive, ask a sales associate when the item will be going on sale. If the price is not going to be reduced soon, think about how often you would wear it. If it’s something that doesn’t work for everyday, you can eliminate it from your memory! But if you think it’s going to be a great basic piece, consider splurging. If you’re going to wear something often, it pays to buy good quality.

Do Homework as Early as Possible:
Don’t leave homework for the last minute! I know you hear this all the time, but it is true.  Rather than watching the same old reruns on tv., hit the books and get it out of the way.  Even if it seems too early, you will be ready for whatever comes along! Believe it or not, this will leave you more time to do things you want to do, while allowing yourself to be ready for any test or quizzes that come your way.

Packing the night before:
This was not one of my strong points when I was in school, which left me late, tired, and anxious by the time I was rushing out the door.  School mornings can be really rough! If you find yourself scrambling around to find your books, homework, lunch, or even your shoes, then you need a new plan. Easy enough, do all the packing the night before. You will be prepared for everything and your things won’t be floating around the whole house! Pick out your outfit the night before and lay it out. Before anyone has time to snag the leftovers from the night before, you will get first dibs on all the choices in the fridge!  Finally, leave your shoes at the front door!  You shouldn’t be walking around the house in your shoes anyway.

Labeling:
Labeling is key to organization! Tag your most important stuff from pencils and binders to clothes and bags.  I know it sounds silly, maybe even elementary but it’s no fun seeing some random kid using your pencil or wearing your sweat shirt.  A little awkward…don’t you think?

Emergency Snacks:
If you often hit a mid morning slump, or have practice immediately after school, pack some emergency snacks. I have found Trail mix, juice boxes, crackers, pretzels or fruit give you that extra energy boost when you need it.  Not only will it get you out of that slump, but you will save money at the vending machines.

I hope this helps and gets you ready for the upcoming school year.  If you can think of anything I have left out, feel free to blog and let us know. 

Also, stop by the Community Center and sign up for the teen passport.  It’s only $20 a month for ages 12-17.  That will give you access to our whole facility, to include our 20+ programs offered just for teens.  We even have tutoring classes.  Our Teen Passport programs start the first day of school, Tuesday September 6^th. 

Good Luck and have a great back to school!!!

Be sure to stop in and see me at the Community Center.

Source:  http://www.familiesonlinemagazine.com/teens/back-to-school.html

*Matt Hildreth is Office for Teens Specialist of the Department of Parks and Recreation. He can be reached at 703.335.8873 or via email at m.hildreth@manassasparkva.gov

Email Matt Hildreth to get started today, m.hildreth@manassasparkva.gov