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| Teens Seek Innovative Ways To Learn “Rules Of The Road” Regarding Sexual BehaviorBecause of the web portals’ effectiveness in reaching students, Walgreens has partnered with The Sex-Ed Loop to get the word out about its 2012 Walgreens Expressions Challenge.
Email: CTucker@GoldStarC.com TEENS SEEK INNOVATIVE WAYS TO LEARN “RULES OF THE ROAD” REGARDING SEXUAL BEHAVIOR Walgreens Expressions allows kids to use their creativity to explore appropriate options as they relate to their sexual health (CHICAGO – November 20, 2012) -- While parents remain the biggest influence (38%) on students regarding issues of sex, it is clear that the Internet plays a key role in how young people find information about S-E-X. And, as this most prolific generation of computer users becomes curious about the subject, they have increasingly credible and reliable resources through where they can explore and learn. Sites like The Sex-Ed Loop, (http://www.sexedloop.com/) The Expressions Challenge partners with area high schools to raise awareness about the alarming rates of teen STIs, including Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, in addition to a range of sexual responsibility issues.Teens use their creative voice to bring to life the commonly discussed topics: STD Awareness and Prevention, Self-Esteem, Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Abstinence, Sexting, and Sexual Responsibility Awareness. Creative Writing, Visual Arts and Multimedia are the art forms youths use to communicate their perspective on these topics, and then submit their work to the Expressions Challenge contest, which runs through November 30, 2012. The Sex-Ed Loop provides teens and young adults with reliable, up to date information on sexual health and other health topics through a variety of social media resources. Students can subscribe to a weekly text messaging service, and use the clinic finder that will connect them to health care services throughout the city. Youth can also subscribe to a weekly text messaging service, use the clinic finder on SexEdLoop.com to connect to health care services throughout the city and visit online atFacebook (https://www.facebook.com/ The Expressions Challenge has taken a similar tact and is tapping into students’ need for creative expression to address issues that are sometimes just hard to articulate. The Challenge amplifies the current academic curriculum of its high school partners by focusing not just on sex education, but on other disciplines as well, including Art, English and Health. Students can work on the Expressions Challenge either individually or in a group to create an entry that depicts their opinion on how they will make healthy decisions for a bright future. Few disagree about the need for more education. Although the teenage birth rate dropped 9 percent in 2010 from 2009, the United States still has one of the highest rates among developed countries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rates of Syphilis (http://health.nytimes.com/ “The reason I'm interested in having my students complete submissions for the Walgreens Expressions Challenge is students take a message to heart when it comes from their peers. So I really see a value in seeing young people create messages through a variety of media around these topics because they are absolutely pressing health topics,” Ryan Meher said, instructor at Alternatives, Inc. “I think the way a young person chooses to inform or educate or reach out to a peer is very different from the way an adult might communicate with them.” Classroom content is largely controlled by school districts, but it is a low priority in many areas. Chicago, for example, does not have a mandated sex education curriculum, although teachers are encouraged to include material in science or physical education classes. School officials see programs like The Sex-Ed Loop, which began in August 2011, as vital. Mary Beth Szydlowski, Student Health Specialist for Chicago Public Schools, said that Mary Beth Szydlowski, Student Health Specialist for Chicago Public Schools, said that “The Sex-Ed Loop not only reinforces what students learn in class but also can reach all teenagers including those who might have, for whatever reason, left school. It is managed in partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health and Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health, which enlists Chicago teenagers to create the text messages as well as blog posts and testimonial videos for its website.” “Youth are being affected by STD’s and STI’s at a rapid rate in today’s society. Not because they are not aware, they are not awakened to it. It’s real but since it’s not blatantly in their face, it’s not necessarily “true”. And since a lot of youth and young adults believe they are invincible, HIV is now their kryptonite,” “Our goal is to elevate the conversation,” Young people are encouraged to enter the contest, which ends on November 30. Three first-place winners will be selected to receive $2,000, plus an additional $500 for their teacher and $500 for their school. Three second-place winners will be selected to receive $1,250, plus a gift of $500 for their teacher. Media is encouraged to host a segment on teen sexuality and how The Expressions Challenge is causing a buzz of conversation on healthy choices. For more information visit ExpressionsChallenge.com/ Follow @ExpressionsChal on Twitter and Expressions Challenge on Facebook. End
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