THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 16, 1996 TAG: 9606140260
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY KIA MORGAN ALLEN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 137 lines
TODAY'S GRADUATES ARE on the move - away from high school but not away from Chesapeake.
More than half of local graduates are not ready to bid Hampton Roads farewell: They plan to stay.
That's just one response of many on The Virginian-Pilot's fifth annual survey of high school seniors. The Virginian-Pilot surveyed 777 students in Hampton Roads, including 229 in Chesapeake.
The 1996 senior class of Chesapeake may be ready to leave high school, but not without being satisfied with the education they received. Seventy-five percent of those surveyed rated their educational quality as good-to-outstanding.
They are concerned about some things: Many know students who carry guns to school, and some have experimented with drugs.
But most respondents believe they have enough information to keep them focused on success.
Eighty-three percent of Chesapeake teens reported they know enough about AIDS to protect themselves. One-third of Chesapeake seniors, or 31 percent, favor President Clinton's work and would re-elect him to a second term as president in November. Another 28 percent would vote for Colin Powell, and 20 percent would vote for Bob Dole.
Here's what Chesapeake seniors had to say: Quality of education
Sixty-five percent said they are satisfied with the quality of their education and rated it as good. More than 54 percent them have plans to advance their education by attending a four-year college or university.
``I did real well,'' said Jason Hand, 17, of his experience at Oscar F. Smith High School. ``My teachers were helpful.'' Race relations
More than three-quarters of Chesapeake teens - 79 percent - reported having close friends of another race. In schools, some teens have found that race relations have improved, while 41 percent say they have remained unchanged.
``I still get people who won't start a friendship. They say, `Oh what color are you,' '' said Kristy Cuffee, 18, a bi-racial student at Deep Creek High School. ``It makes me feel like I'm the only non-narrow-minded person in the world.'' Drugs and alcohol
Seven out of 10 of the seniors who responded feel that the use of drugs and alcohol by their peers has increased since they started school. Seventy-five percent of the students from Chesapeake think the use by peers has increased. Forty-three percent of students overall reported experimenting with marijuana.
``A lot of people in school don't do it, but a lot of people have gotten kicked out (of school) because it,'' said Precious Linyear, 18, a student at Greenbrier Christian Academy.
``I believe my body is a temple and you're not supposed to degrade it by using drugs,'' she said.
Drinking has become a major problem among teens. However, 42 percent of the students overall said they never drink alcohol. The remaining 58 percent of the students surveyed had drinking habits that ranged from daily to fewer than two drinks a month. AIDS and abortion
Although 83 percent of Chesapeake seniors say they know enough about AIDS to protect themselves from the disease, many argue that more could be done to educate students.
``I don't like the way they teach it in school,'' Cuffee said. ``I think they should bring someone who had AIDS in there.''
On abortion, 45 percent of the Chesapeake teens thought abortion should not be banned under any circumstances.
Kimberly Hodges, 17, a senior at Great Bridge High School, thought it should be restricted under certain circumstances.
``I don't think it should be used for birth control, but should if the mother is raped or has problems with the pregnancy.'' Other factors
The students were asked what, if anything, could be done to help them get the most from school.
``I have achieved the most I could,'' said Codie Ferguson, a senior at Indian River High School. ``Honestly, the one thing that stands in the way of immediately attending an institution of higher learning is money, but that will not stop me from achieving the plans God has for my life.'' MEMO: INSIDE
On the following pages are lists of graduates with a spotlight on the
valedictorians.
Great Bridge High School - Pages 16-17.
Deep Creek High School - Page 18.
Western Branch High School - Pages 20-21.
Indian River High School - Pages 22-23.
Oscar Smith High School - Page 24.
Private High Schools - Page 25.
[For a complete list of Chesapeake area graduates and valedictorians'
profiles, both private schools and public schools, see microfilm for
this date.] ILLUSTRATION: [Cover, Color photo]
Cover illustration of graduation memorabilia is by staff
photographer Steve Earley.
Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Angie Edmondson, 18, left, waves to her family as Bridget Eads, 18,
looks on during graduation ceremonies at Indian River High School.
THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 1996 HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SURVEY
The Virginian-Pilot surveyed 777 graduating seniors in South Hampton
Roads in the Fifth Annual Survey of High School Seniors. Today's
graduates shared their opinions on a variety of issues including the
quality of the education they received, alcohol and drug use by
their peers, politics, religion, race relations, AIDS, abortion,
violence and religion.
[For a copy of the sample of questions and responses, see microfilm
for this date.]
KEYWORDS: GRADUATION '96 by CNB