TEEN LEADERS REVIEW ABSTINENCE PROGRAM

Postponing Sexual Involvement is an abstinence-only educational series that was presented in Cape Girardeau public schools, St. Vincent de Paul School, St. Mary's School, Trinity Lutheran, Immaculate Conception and Oak Ridge public schools this school year. Teen leaders are trained to teach the refusal-skills curriculum to either seventh- and eighth-graders.

Teen leaders in the Postponing Sexual Involvement program in Cape Girardeau County met recently to evaluate the program and to see results from the pre- and post-tests that were given.

The program recruits teen leaders who are sophomores to seniors at Central High School, Notre Dame High School, and Oak Ridge High School. The Cape Girardeau County Health Department, University Outreach and Extension, and the Teen Pregnancy Responsibility Network train and supervise the teen leaders.

May is National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month and is themed: "Building on Success."

Teen leaders from Cape Central are: Matt Brandt, Casey Brennan, Matt Cardin, Brian Emmendorfer, Nathan Foley, Ashley Ford, Justin Hawkins, Marci Kester, Jason Kopf, Becky Komorech, Jessica Layman, Jon Lowrance, Onica McBride, Emily McElreath, Eric Niswonger, Ricky Ogles, Mackenzie Price, Andrew Rehbein, B.J. Tanksley, Stratton Tingle, Hannah Weir, Justin Welker, Sarah Wernsman, Tafarris Wilderness and Rachel Wright.

Notre Dame High School: Mark Berkbigler, Amy Buehrle, Melissa Enderle, Jill Eichhorn, Amanda Gosche, Jeff Lage, Meredith LeGrand, Michael Siebert, and Courtland Kohland.

Oak Ridge High School: Amanda Buchheit, Joletta Ludwig, Amy Pohlman and Nikki Wilson.

Anyone interested in more information about this program should contact Mary Gosche, University Outreach and Extension, at 243-3581 or goschem@missouri.edu, or Jane Wernsman, Cape Giardeau County Public Health Center, 335-7846.