What more is needed to encourage consistently stro

[johnnylingo]

My first name is John

I am a 17 year old Junior in high school and am currently the section leader of our community's marching band. I am also participating in boys state this summer and I am an Eagle scout.

Right now It is concerning me that many of the teenagers my age are not taking advantage of the opportunities handed to them on a silver platter. I have many smart, brilliant, friends who have perfect grades, yet still don't do anything with their life.  I feel like a great amount of teenagers are getting lazier.

The best encouragement I think will be to offer more recognition. We need to have more programs that connect with people and teach good, honest, values. We need to find that small boy who may in the future become the next Bill Gates.


Although I don't have many solutions for this problem, I know there are ways to connect to leaders.

Please feel free to answer the question
Thanks!

johnnylingo from http://www.cats-tell.com

[Steve Sparks]

Hello John-

There is a mentoring program at Pahoa High that is run by Launa Jones, I think. That might be a good place to start. If you could volunteer with them and help bring others along that would be a good service to your community.

Thank you
Steve Sparks

[james weatherford]

Aloha John,

Thanks for jumping in here.
By stepping up as a leader, you have made a good start to the outcome you have identified so well as being needed.

Certainly a mentoring program, as suggested by Steve, is very good.

A couple of other standard ideas:

'Young Democrats', equivalent of Republicans and Greens and whatever else. A chapter of any at Pahoa HS would be one way to get some involvement.
The energy of young people is always welcome on a political campaign. So, I tell a HS student, pick a candidate you can support and volunteer on the campaign -- it's hard work, great fun, and very educational!
Politics is a fine way to get involved -- there are also others: 'business' does not have to be a dirty word! and the need for humanitarian work is unlimited.
There are many, many more and I'm sure our Punaweb amigas and amigos will pitch in some ideas.

btw: Congratulations on being selected for boys' state! That is where I was in the summer of 1969. It makes me feel old and happy to know someone is carrying on




James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park

[oink]

My boys became involved with service clubs. They can be a good way to help get youth involved in the community and in leadership roles and initiative in general. Key Club is the one they got involved with. Hilo has a Key Club (http://www.hilohs.k12.hi.us/keyclub//) but I don't know about Pahoa.

Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.