Teen Scene

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Features, Announcements, Hallway Buzz, Drug Prevention Lady,
Reviews by You, Of Interest

~~~~~~~ Features ~~~~~~~

Recent articles:

LCHS students planting trees

Local youth group serves on breadline

Be prepared to help a friend

~~~~~~~ Announcements ~~~~~~~

Conservation summer camp scholarships

[MAY 16, 2003] Junior high and high school students have an opportunity to attend summer camp offered by the Touch of Nature Environmental Center at SIU Carbondale. The camps combine adventure skills such as canoeing, caving, camping and hiking with a challenge to both physically and mentally develop an awareness of and respect for our environment.

Through a series of activities, campfire discussions and presentations, students are involved in current environmental issues, which will help them become problem-solvers of the future. This could be an excellent opportunity for any student interested in the field of conservation

This year's programs include Ozark canoeing expeditions for high school students and Ozark Riverways canoe trips for sixth- to eighth-grade students. The first session for junior high students will be June 23-28. The first session for high school students will be July 7-12.

Program information has been sent to all high school and junior high schools in Logan County.

The Logan County Soil and Water Conservation District will sponsor one scholarship or two partial scholarships, depending on the number of applications received.

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Students interested in information concerning scholarship applications and funding should contact the district office, 1650 Fifth Street Road, Lincoln; phone (217) 732-2010, Ext. 3. Students will need to submit a short description of their interests and why they would like to attend one of the workshops.

[News release]

~~~~~~~ Hallway Buzz ~~~~~~~

Provided by the LCHS Advanced Public Speaking class

This week's question...

[MAY 16, 2003] What has been your most memorable moment this year?

Justin Bruns, senior

"Going to Disney World with the band."

Kristin Meyer, junior

"Playing in the pit for the musical ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.’"

J.R. Ewins, senior

"My trips to Grinnell, Iowa, to visit the campus I’m going to next year. I got to stay with one of my best friends, meet the department heads for my major, and I could eat whatever I wanted whenever I wanted."

Brent Warburton, sophomore

"Being in football and getting my first starting position."

Sam Hudelson, junior

"My most memorable moment from this past year was being at prom with all of my friends and experiencing the memories of prom."

Last week's Hallway Buzz

~~ Teen or Teen Group of the Month ~~

Send us your nominations for teens doing good work as individual volunteers or for group efforts. E-mail ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com or call 732-7443.

~~~ Places to Go & Things to Do ~~~

Healthy living and fun too

Athletics

LCHS sports directory

Dance instruction

Audra's Studio of Dance, 214 S. Kickapoo, 732-9137

Susan Collier School of Dance, 726 S. Spring, Mount Pulaski, 792-5590 or 486-6252

LCHS clubs

Directory

Lincoln Gator Swim Club

Heidi Heidbreder, coach

Lincoln Park District

Primm Road, 732-8770

Lincoln Public Library

725 Pekin, 732-8878 or 732-5732

Martial arts

Lincoln Tae Kwon Do, 918 Woodlawn Road, 735-3363

YMCA

Activity center, 721 Wyatt Ave., 732-9935

Administrative office, 319 W. Kickapoo, 735-3915

Other lessons and activities

Send us the information to post

Entertainment

Movies

For the latest local movies and videos, check these links:

Lincoln Cinemas

Family Video

Classic film series, sponsored by the Logan County Arts Association, at Lincoln Cinemas, monthly on the second Thursday, 7 p.m., (217) 735-4422

[Upcoming films]

Performances

High school and junior high plays, competitions

Send us the information to post.

Lincoln Community Theatre,
735-2614

[2003 season schedule]

List of local bands and upcoming shows.

P.S. If anyone is interested in sending music reviews or event news to us, click here to send it!

LDN Games Archive

~~~ Ask the Drug Prevention Lady ~~~

The "Drug Prevention Lady" is Kristi Lessen, substance abuse prevention specialist from Logan-Mason Mental Health (a division of Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois). She can be contacted at lessen.kristin@mhsil.com.

This feature is for educational purposes and not intended to be an alternative to emergency services. In case of emergency, dial 911.

May is Mental Health Month

Mental health matters every day

[MAY 23, 2003] All children feel sad from time to time or have a bad day. However, when these feelings continue and begin to interfere with a child’s ability to function in daily life, clinical depression could be the cause. Depression is not a personal weakness, a character flaw or a mood that one can "snap out of." It is a serious mental health problem that affects people of all ages, including children. In fact, depression affects as many as one in every 33 children and one in eight adolescents, according to the federal Center for Mental Health Services.

No one thing causes depression. Adolescents who develop depression may have a family history of the disorder. Family history; stressful life events such as losing a parent, divorce or life changes; and physical or psychological problems are all factors that contribute to the beginning of the disorder. Adolescents who experience abuse, neglect or other trauma or who have a chronic illness are at a higher risk for depression. Adolescents who become clinically depressed are also at a higher risk for substance abuse problems.

Many teens with depression abuse alcohol and drugs as a way to numb or manage their feelings. Any child or adolescent who abuses substances should be evaluated for depression. If an addiction develops, it is essential to treat both the mental health disorder and the substance abuse problem at the same time.

Depression is treatable. Early identification, diagnosis and treatment help adolescents reach their full potential. Adolescents who show signs of depression should be referred to and evaluated by a mental health professional.

If you or someone you know is struggling with any of these symptoms, talk with your parents, a doctor or mental health professional.

--Frequent sadness, tearfulness or crying

--Feelings of hopelessness

--Withdrawal from friends and activities

--Lack of enthusiasm or motivation

--Decreased energy level

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--Major changes in eating or sleeping habits

--Increased irritability, agitation, anger or hostility

--Frequent physical complaints such as headaches and stomachaches

--Indecision or inability to concentrate

--Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt

--Extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure

--Pattern of dark images in drawings or paintings

--Play that involves excessive aggression directed toward oneself or others, or involves persistently sad themes

--Recurring thoughts or talk of death, suicide or self-destructive behavior

May is Mental Health Month, a national observance dedicated to raising awareness about mental health. Now is the time to get involved and actively endorse community-based treatment and support programs. We can all work together to end the discrimination that people with mental illness face every day. We can support policies that fund mental health services, help individuals in their recovery and encourage those in need to seek treatment.

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~ Substance Abuse Prevention Program is paid for in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services.