Program coordinator Sharleen “Mama Shar” Crisostimo shares some basic information about the group.
“Teen Talk is a group of student volunteers who help educate students, parents, teachers and the community about youth issues. The most important issues are youth risk behaviors such as sexual activity and drug use,” she explains.
She continues, “Our purpose is to provide knowledge and skills to help students make healthier choices because healthy students make healthy adults and healthy adults make healthy communities.”
She says the organization is part of the Public School System’s Youth Development Program and will celebrate its 10th anniversary this October.
Those interested in becoming members must undergo four steps: filling out an application, auditioning in front of a panel of Teen Talk members and advisors, going through training, and undergoing an observation process.
Last Saturday covered the first two steps of the audition procedures.
The judging rubrics covered such things as teamwork, enthusiasm, improvisation skills, and commitment.
Crisostimo says auditions are usually held during the school year “but we wanted to get started early this year.”
The judges ask questions about everything from hobbies to presentation skills and current events.
Auditionees do not have to be experts; the judges look for potential as well, Crisostimo tells Variety.
Among those who auditioned, student Bruce Li, shares why he wants to be a part of Teen Talk:
“I want to help others and I want to find out what’s best for me. I want to start figuring out what I want to do in the future. Also, I needed something to do during the summer.”
Another student, Nick Salmon, says, “I want to show that I can follow my older brother’s footsteps, but make it my own experience,” he is speaking of his brother Edwin Correa who joined Teen Talk in 2004.
Don Sulat, another auditionee remarks, “I heard it was fun. I heard good things from Mama Shar and I’ve seen videos and pictures of Teen Talk and it looks like an experience I want to have. Also, I think it will look good on applications later.”
In regards to the organization as a whole, Salmon says, “Even though it’s small, it shows that it’s capable of achieving its goals and spreading its word.”
A final decision will be given out in October.
Students who did not audition last Saturday will be given the opportunity to do so in October as well.
