Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 3, 1994 TAG: 9403030206
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By NANCY BELL STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Her eyes sparkle in the dim light of a chandelier.
It's graduation night, and Arrington, a sixth-grader at Woodrow Wilson Middle School, feels a sense of accomplishment.
She and six of her peers are graduating from an eight-week program for girls who live in or around Roanoke's Hurt Park community.
The program was created by Deneen Evans, a teen-counselor and caseworker with the Roanoke Adolescent Partnership. Evans started the program to build self-esteem among a group of teens in which the pregnancy rate is high.
"This is a complex problem that is more than about birth control. How they feel about themselves - that is the real issue," Evans said.
"I choose girls in grades six, seven and eight, hoping to help them develop a better self concept before entering high school."
Evans used a series of workshops lead by adult black female role models and mentors.
Renita Randolph, a Salem dentist, talked about success as a black woman in the medical field, goal setting and careers. Others spoke about skin care, business attire and etiquette for social situations.
Dressed in a green business suit, starched white blouse closed at the neck with a gold leaf pin, Arrington says the program turned her life around.
"I want to be a lawyer and a singer. There are many things I want to do. I feel like I can do anything," she said, smiling.
Some of Arrington's peers echo her impressions of the program.
"I learned how to respect myself and others and about manners," said 14-year-old Lisa Martin.
Evans, who used her own money to pay for refreshments, feels strongly that each girl has grown in her own way as a result of the program.
"We are starting to see a difference. There has definitely been an impact on the direction they are taking with their lives. The girls are looking beyond the Hurt Park community. Some are considering college," she said.
Sharron Davies, assistant marketing manager for Cox Cable, delivered the graduation speech.
"You can choose to be dignified, creative and healthy. You can choose to expect only the best treatment from every person who knows you and from yourself," she said.
The teens then recited Maya Angelou's poem, "Phenomenal Woman," their theme for the program.
Evans said the program would not have been possible without the assistance of the Roanoke Adolescent Partnership or those who volunteered for the weekly workshops.
Rolayne Pannell, a Radford University nursing student, volunteered as Evans' assistant for the series.
"It's people like that who make the difference," said Evans, who is also developing a similar program for boys which will begin in May.
"They have shown some interest in what we're doing with the girls," Evans said. "But the program will only be successful if enough black male role models agree to participate."
by CNB