Shown L to R Kadesha Fountain, Khadejah Mobley, Shalanica Dancy, Earl Purse,DeMarcus Carter, Chelce Robinson, Sharteedra Croft, Quavis Robinson, Christin Hicks.

More than 100 students attended the 1st Annual Teen Summit sponsored by the Greene County Board of Education Saturday,  April 21, 2012 at Greene County High School. 

According to School Superintendent Emma Louie, the plans for the Teen Summit grew out of a request from a couple of high school students to hold a special tribute to Trayvon Martin.  Martin is the Florida African American teenager who was shot and killed as he returned to his father’s home from a store the evening of Feb. 26, 2012.

  Nearly two months after the fatal shooting, George Zimmerman has been arrested and charged for the shooting.  Questions about how and why Martin was killed still draws national attention.

  Dr. Louie organized a committee of students, school personnel and community leaders to plan the summit which would allow teenagers and parents to discuss issues and concerns vital to the young people.

  Following the preliminary opening of the 1st Annual Teen Summit, the students held a special tribute to Trayvon Martin, led by Kadesha Fountain.

Marcus Campbell, Sumter County Commissioner and former professional basketball player, was the guest speaker at the Summit. He was introduced by Spiver Gordon, local SCLC Chapter President.

  In his remarks Campbell encouraged the students to focus on their education.  “Yes, I was a professional basketball player but mom made sure I knew how to spell basketball,” he said. Emphasizing the important of education, Campbell stated that football, basketball and other sports are fine careers, but knowledge is the key.

Following Campbell’s keynote address, a panel of students moderated by GCH instructor, Mr. Alphonzo Morton, III, in a question and answer format, presented their ideas on some current issues and concerns of teenagers today. The discussions focused on bullying, including cyber bullying, student safety, peer pressure, student-teacher interaction, cellphone use at school and other items.

The students were frank in expressing their perspectives and perceptions, noting that there are occasions when some teachers are disrespectful to students. The young people were also adamant about their concern for safety in their neighborhoods and communities.  They generally do not trust law enforcement officials to protect them. According to students’ comments, there are occasions when the law enforcement officer called to a scene will focus on flirting with the youth instead of dealing with the complaint or incident at hand.

The young people stated that many altercations between students at school start over negative statements placed on Facebook. The students also favor cell phone use at school for emergency situations.

Student Summit Panelists included Shalanica Dancy, 9th grader; DeMarcus Carter, 10th grade; Earl Purse, 10th grader; Sharteedra Croft, 11th grader; Jamia Hunter, 12th grader; Christin Hicks, 11th grader; Quavis Robinson, 11th grader; Khadejah Mobley, 11th grader, Devonte Thomas, 11th grader and Chelce Robinson, 12th grader.

The Summit also scheduled breakout sessions for small group discussions on the various topics.  Several booths were also set up with community leaders on hand to respond to any questions from students and parents.

Local resource groups included: The Juvenile Probation Office, Woman-To-Woman, Greene County Sheriff’s Department, Greene County Department of Human Resources, Greene County Board of Education and the Greene County Health Department. 

  Dr. Emma Louie, Greene County Superintendent,  stated, “I am pleased to say, that our 1st Annual Teen Summit was the idea of several students from Greene County High school. It is obvious that our children care about their schools and their communities.  There were over 100 students present. Each appeared excited and eager for changes…changes for the better. I thank our students for sharing the concerns, hopes, and beliefs for better schools, communities, and opportunities. I want  the students to know that I am listening. The other adults present at the summit were listening as well. In my opinion, Greene County High School’s 1st Annual Teen Summit was awesome!”