Page 49 - Coffee County

gaining insight into their “reality check” during the maze.

The booklet also supplied facts from the College of Health, Education, and Human Development of Clemson University. Some facts included were concerning high school dropout rates such as these: High school dropouts are eligible for only 12% of new jobs; dropouts have only half as much annual income as a high school graduate by the time prime working age is reached; Dropouts earn over one million dollars less than a college graduate during their working years; Girls who drop out are more likely to have children at a younger age and be single parents; and Dropouts are more likely to be involved in risky behaviors such as drug abuse and violence.

The Teen Maze booklet addressed many possible reasons for teenagers making poor life choices. From issues such as bullying, frequent moves, feeling alone, boredom, shyness, and so on. Any student tolerating any personal hardship would have access to helpful information. The beauty of Teen Maze came in being able to fnd help without exposing oneself to actuality and public embarrassment.

Once the students entered the auditorium, they were presented with a set of circumstances that they were

to suppose true to their own life. These circumstances were completely random. Some students got lucky and were handed a good card that enabled them to do well in school, avoid negative infuences, make positive choices, and eventually graduate. Other students were not so lucky. Some found themselves in unwanted pregnancies, plagued with diseases, in jail, in court, and suffering premature deaths. The good, the bad, and the ugly were all results of choices supposedly made by the student. Consequences became more than words on paper, more than preachy advice, more than rumors of friends or acquaintances. With the help of so many in our community, some students literally and fguratively faced new experiences through simulation. These included some such as: hand cuffs, jail attire, graduation, funerals, court appearances, driving under the infuence (blindfolded golf cart rides!), lessons in prenatal care, wearing pregnancy pouches, baby (doll) care and responsibility, and the list goes on. An authoritative adult accompanied every student in every situation.

The entire event, from the beginning to end, was a great life lesson. Students talked about it for days. Yes, they had fun, but they also acquired answers to questions they might never ask.

Answers that would determine attitudes and decisions that would be life altering. They were amused to see their unsuspecting peers wearing orange jumpsuits and facing a judge. They were also saddened when a monotone voice came over the intercom and announced a moment of silence for the passing of yet another whose name was called aloud. This student had obviously made bad decisions. There was graduation music and a cheery voice calling the names of those who succeeded on the right path to a bright future. Overall, students realized that they are becoming the age when extremely important decisions will be made and they must make those appropriate to the lifestyle they wish to maintain.

With so many unspoken issues facing teenagers today, it is no wonder that at a delicate age they fnd themselves on a path with multiple crossings. Although there are signs pointing in many directions, when given too many options, they can easily lose their way. Life can become confused very quickly. The Coffee County Family Connection, Coffee County School System and numerous local organizations, through long hours of preparation and extremely hard work and dedication, can only hope that Teen Maze created a path of clarity in a forest of uncertainty.  CCM