THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 2, 1995 TAG: 9501310116
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
With a little help from the FBI, the East Ocean View Recreation Center locked up 17 kids Friday night ... and the kids enjoyed every minute of it.
The occasion was a lock-in, an event where kids stay overnight, featuring entertainment, speakers, activities and food - but very little sleep. The East Ocean View Center previously has hosted such all-night affairs for pre-teens; this was the first for teenagers, boys and girls ages 13 to 17.
FBI Special Agent Robert Shay, the bureau's recruiter for Norfolk, came to talk about opportunities with the FBI. The kids remained attentive throughout his presentation; when he mentioned an agent's starting salary of $40,000 a year he really caught their interest.
Other speakers included Cynthia Corbett of RAP (Realistic Alternatives to Pregnancy) and Joyce Luenstroth of the American Red Cross, who spoke about HIV and AIDS.
Brandis Fayne, 13, was one of nine girls who came to spend the night.
``I think it's fun,'' she said. ``It gives kids a place to hang out, kick back and relax. I'm looking forward to having fun, but I might not get any sleep.''
Recreation aide and event organizer Robert Harrison felt he was ready for the high-energy evening, which could have drawn as many as 40 teenagers.
``I've been in the (Army National Guard) reserves for five years, so I know how to stay awake,'' he said.
Cheryl Vazquez, volunteer cheerleading coach at the rec center, also had volunteered to spend the night chaperoning the girls. She addressed the more serious purpose behind the fun and games.
``We're doing this to instill some positive things in the teens in Ocean View,'' she said. ``There are lots of negatives out there, but we want to teach them that there are also positive aspects that they don't get to see every day.''
The educational nature of the speakers' presentations didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the kids, who had paid $5 each to attend the event, held in the rec center's gym. Between presentations the girls danced to the music of a radio while the boys played basketball. A steady supply of snacks - munchies - was available in a room just off the gym.
``We're trying something different with the teenagers,'' explained Bernard Davis, East Ocean View recreation supervisor. ``With all the drugs and prostitution on the streets, we're trying to prove that East Ocean View can be a safe place. We're providing a unique experience for the kids.''
Later in the evening members of ODU's Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity put on a step show, teaching some of the steps to the kids after it was over. A pizza ``dinner'' was served at 11 p.m. Cal'Z Pizza donated one pizza for every one purchased by the center.
Demetris Jackson, 14, one of the eight boys, observed:
``It's all right! It's nice. I'll have fun and play basketball with my friends. I liked the FBI guy. I may or may not get any sleep.''
Breakfast, consisting of sausage biscuits donated by McDonald's, was served at 6:30 a.m. By 7:30 a.m. the kids had departed.
A tired but pleased Harrison said:
``I didn't get a bit of sleep. I'm going home as soon as I clean up.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by DAWSON MILLS
From left, Cheryl Vazquez, Lessandra Moore, Toni Spencer and Tyree
Jackson take part in a Realistic Alternatives to Pregnancy exercise
at the lock-in.
by CNB