Fourth Annual "Teens Speak Out" Contest and Dinner Gala Highlights Local Talent

Contact: Melissa Nickle, Public Relations Director, Project Reality, 847-846-3278, melissa@projectreality.org

GLENVIEW, Ill., May 16/Standard Newswire/ -- Project Reality recently held its annual "Teens Speak Out" Awards Dinner Gala to honor teens in Illinois for their commitment to abstinence. In addition, winners of the "Teens Speak Out" contest were revealed and recognized in front of Chicago-area teachers and students, representatives from the Illinois Department of Human Services and the approximately 350 others who attended.

Photo: Caris Prevention Team and BreakDown Team, hi-res version available

Throughout the course of the evening, the audience enjoyed performances by Heart & Soul and BreakDown, two talented groups of young people from the Chicagoland area.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards and hearing the award winning entries from our winners. There was music, poetry, essay and artwork for everyone to enjoy. The teens ranged in age from 13 to 18 and were from all parts of the state of Illinois.

In the music category, first place winners, Blake Mason, Ethan Grasty and Marco Namowicz, from Mooseheart Academy in Mooseheart, Illinois, rocked the room with their original tune about the temptations media portrays. "Temptations rising this blinding confusion; Media broadcasting this illusion; Lies of the world keep falling and falling, over and over again," sang Blake during the chorus of the song.

First place winner in the poster category, fifteen-year- old, Kimberly Woodworth, from Winchester, Illinois, sketched a beautiful poster titled "Sex and the Media." The detailed illustration featured a man and a woman engaged in a kiss on their wedding day. The text included tips for teens, one that stated, "Don't let the impact of the media affect your decision on sex."

The poetry and essay categories featured inspirational versus about the impact of the media. First place essay winner, Elizabeth Sanchez wrote, "Teens are mimicking what the media is showing. Therefore the media should encourage teens to be abstinent until marriage and to value their lives." Sarah Halbur, first place winner in the poetry category wrote, "Abstinence is the answer; it really, truly is. It encourages communication, so she'll really be his. Don't tell him it's wimpy, don't tell her it's mean. Tell them it's the best way that ever has been seen."

To see the complete list of winners and their inspirational, award-winning, entries, please visit Project Reality's web site at www.projectreality.org.

About the "Teens Speak Out" Contest

Realizing the huge impact the media has on today's teens, Project Reality, along with 22 community-based abstinence organizations across the state, challenged Illinois teens to express what messages they think the media should be communicating about sex and abstinence. Teens were able to communicate their thoughts using essay, poetry, music or poster art. A first-, second- and third-place winner was selected in each category. The result was nearly 400 creative, original and insightful entries that prove these teens should be involved in decision making for media for the next generation!

This contest is an annual event and will be launched again next fall. In the coming months complete details will be available at www.projectreality.org.

Project Reality, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, has been a pioneer in the national field of adolescent health education for more than 20 years. In its home state of Illinois, Project Reality receives state funding to serve more than 120,000 students annually with the message of abstinence as the healthiest choice and has proven by evaluation that abstinence and character education work. Project Reality is committed to effectively communicating to students the benefits of abstinence until marriage and receives strong support from parents, teachers and students alike.

For more information about Breakdown please visit: www.notyetnotnow.com/breakdown.