Arkansas City seventh and eighth graders learned about making decisions that will affect their li... Middle schoolers focus dec

FOCUS began as a way to include the state required Human Sexuality and AIDS curriculum. Ann Headrick, academic coach and sponsor of the event, said by presenting the curriculum through FOCUS, the students receive a much larger impact. She said they also don't get bored as easily because they are constantly changing rooms and hearing different speakers on different topics.

All day, the students attended different sessions where speakers touched on topics of relevance to teens such as sex, pregnancy, violence, gangs, drugs and suicide. Each of the speakers focused primarily on the consequences of the actions people take.

One speaker, Joe Coles, typically charges a $1,000 speaking fee. This time, he lowered the cost to $500 and will donate that money to the Jodi Sanderholm memorial scholarship fund at Cowley College. Headrick said Coles wanted to help the community cope with the fear and disbelief after the loss of Jodi in January.

Coles is a recognized leader on the topic of bullying and has trained parents and educators across the region how to intervene in bullying situations. His presentation was titled "Three R's in Bullying."

The STOP Violence Coalition from the Winfield Correctional Facility presented "Choices and Consequences." Students heard personal testimonies regarding the effects of violence and the impact of using drugs and alcohol when making decisions.

Officer Narciso Narvais, member of the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department and Gang Task Force, talked about how to resist the gang culture as well as what the realistic image of gangs are as opposed to the image portrayed in the media.

Eighth graders heard "Hidden Crisis: The Power to Prevent." Middle school counselor, Sarah O'Donnell, talked about suicide prevention, the warning signs and other self-destructive behaviors such as cutting and the "choking game."

Rob Simon, entertainer, educator and advocate, spoke on "High Stuff, Sly Stuff and Try Stuff." Simon focused on the danger of alcohol and substance abuse and how to prevent it.

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