Annual Teen Panel Presentations Begin Next Week SMITHFIELD-- The Adolescent Pregnancy Coalition of North Carolina reports that the number of pregnant teens in North Carolina has dropped again continuing a trend that started in 1991. Though the drop is encouraging, 17,833 teens struggled with the challenges of a pregnancy in 2003. In Johnston County during that year, 259 teens between the ages of 10 and 19 were pregnant. In an effort to promote the state healthful living curriculum and abstinence, Ann Arant and Nathalia Faber, the Coordinators of the Adolescent Parenting Program at the Johnston County Department of Social Services, have organized panels of teen who will be talking to 7th grade students throughout the school system. During the presentations, teens will share the concerns, challenges, and problems of their experiences. The presentations are scheduled as follows: * February 7 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m Cleveland Middle Monday 1:00 p.m.-2:00p.m. McGee's Middle * February 8 9:30 a.m. *10:30 a.m. Smithfield Middle Tuesday 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Four Oaks Middle * February 9 9:30 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. North Johnston Middle Wednesday 1:15 p.m.-2:45 p.m. Princeton * February 10 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m Clayton Middle Thursday 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Riverwood Middle * February 11 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Meadow Friday 1:15 p.m.-2:45 Benson Middle * February 15 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Corinth Holders Tuesday 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Selma Middle * February 16 8:45 p.m.-9:45 p.m. Benson Middle Wednesday In May, 1997, the Johnston County Teen Panels won the Youth Achievement Award presented by the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Coalition of North Carolina. The award was given to recognize the panel's success in reaching their peers with a reality-based abstinence message. The public is invited to attend any of the presentations, and parents are especially encouraged to attend with their children.
