DATE: Tuesday, October 14, 1997             TAG: 9710140274

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY BRENT STACKHOUSE, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT 

                                            LENGTH:   37 lines

TEEN CALLS FAITH, DETERMINATION KEYS TO CHANGE

Crime. Violence. Broken family. Poor-me mentality. Educational blockage. Lack of giving. No vision. Death.

Have you heard someone say, ``We should do something about that''? Well, some people are. The youths. That is why youths from South Hampton Roads converged on Virginia Wesleyan College on Monday. In the spirit of retired Gen. Colin Powell and the Presidents' Summit on America's Future, when a vow was made to help 2 million children, local youths discussed their opinions about issues affecting their lives.

When I first read about the youth summit, I became extremely excited. Why? From personal experience, I know that faith and determination can change situations.

I bring that faith and determination to the summit. I also bring a strong hope that this area, and the nation, will experience positive changes led by youths. When teens become active in the community, they take on responsibility for changing the community. They learn and grow every day.

It's not time to be lazy anymore. I've heard the problems and I plan to be part of the solution. The ideas generated by the summit will be my road map.

We are the future, so I want the community to believe in us.

Through this coming together and discussion, I believe we will become more aware of our role in improving society.

We will find the keys to effect change. MEMO: Brent Stackhouse is a senior at Tallwood High School in Virginia

Beach. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Brent Stackhouse encourages youths to lead efforts to make life

better for themselves and their communities.

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