Friday, April 25, 2003

Miss Georgia Teen of Excellent Pageant to be held May 4

Twelve teenagers who transformed over the past 12 months into confident, goal-oriented individuals will showcase their lives as testimonials during the 3rd annual "Miss Georgia Teen of Excellence Pageant" May 4.

The "pageant-with-a-purpose," held during National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, is the crowning event in a multi-phased program designed to prevent teen pregnancy and substance abuse, and break the cycle of poverty.

They will be escorted by the "Young Men of Distinction," a counterpart program with the same preventive messages.

The teens, who are residents of the Housing Authority of Fulton County's Housing Choice Voucher Program, participate in the P.A.S.S.A.G.E. (Promoting Alternatives, Suggesting Solutions and Generating Excellence) Afterschool Academic Enrichment Program operated by the Community Opportunity Centers, Inc.

Through a regimen of workshops on topics such as abstinence, AIDS and STD, anger management and cultural enrichment, the teens gain new perspectives on life, undergoing a metamorphosis. The Teen of Excellence program's symbol is, appropriately, a butterfly.

"We make them aware of their wonderful potential and the tools they need to succeed," says Bettye Davis, HAFC executive director.

Participants also receive homework assistance and tutoring, explore careers and scholarship opportunities, take computer training, and go on field trips and college tours.

"We provide them with exposure, help them to excel academically, and give them positive options to the many negative pressures they face as teens," says Tyronda Minter, COC Executive Director.

Vying for "Queen" (high school students) and "Princess" (middle school students) are:

Santrice Ashe, 16, Benjamin Banneker High School;

Ramona Ashe, 14, Benjamin Banneker High School;

Simona Ashe, 14, Benjamin Banneker High School;

Sandrell Atkinson, 14, Bear Creek Middle School;

LaTonya Briggs, 13, Sandy Springs Middle School;

Jasmine Butler, 15, Westlake High School;

Chasity Colton, 13, Camp Creek Middle School;

Soukeye Diop, 13, Paul D. West Middle School;

Rosemary Kendall, 13, Camp Creek Middle School;

Michella McClarity, 14, Riverwood High School;

Catherine Newall, 13, Bear Creek Middle School; and

Candace Willis, 18, North Springs High School.

Their Young Men of Distinction escorts are:

DéAndre Bowden, 16, Westlake High School;

Demetrius Clayton, 16, Westlake High School;

Gordon Daniel, 15, Westlake High School;

Andre Delanie, 16, Westlake High School;

Antonio Delanie, 15, Westlake High School;

Travis Edwards, 14, Camp Creek Middle School;

Marquise Gray, 12, Camp Creek Middle School;

David Howard, 13, Camp Creek Middle School;

Anthony Smith, 15, Westlake High School; and

David Williams, 12, Camp Creek Middle School.

The pageant will be held 4 p.m.-7 p.m., May 4 in the Robert Ferst Center for the Arts, 349 Ferst Drive, NW, at Georgia Tech. For tickets, which are $10, call the Ferst Box Office at 404-894-9600. For more about the teen programs, call 404-305-2462.