Youth Police Advisory Council
Caitlyn Floyd
I have been a part of several youth committees, and it has been an honor. In every committee, there is a topic and the students discuss among one another with occasional input from one of the facilitators. YPAC is different because of what its mission strives to achieve and the different service opportunities it offers to carry out its mission. Each meeting, there is a new topic and a forum held to discuss that specific topic or subject. The meetings also consist of guest speakers pertaining to the topic. My favorite part of YPAC is the part where we are expected to take matters into our own hands and come up with a creative way to educate people, specifically our peers, on the subject at hand. For instance, February is the month acknowledging teen dating violence. At my school, announcements are broadcasted through PowerPoint. My plan is to create a slide to put into the announcement, which would provide professional help for teens who are seeking a way out of their abusive relationship. In this way, teens, already being secretive, can keep unwanted people out of their business, all the while getting rid of a detrimental relationship. Overall, YPAC has clearly shown me the responsibilities of a true citizen of my community.
Awareness Can Change a Life
By: Emily O'Neill
The last YPAC meeting was all about the meaning and reasons for bullying and peer pressure. I could really relate to it and understand it because of my school's diversity. Both bullying and peer pressure are the most common problems teens face. With all the perfect images people see, there is pressure put on them by themselves or by peers to look that perfect way. Also, another really popular source of peer pressure is underage drinking and drug use which people say will make you "cooler." Refusing to give in could result in bullies having a reason to pick on you, but standing up for yourself could show the bullies that you aren't afraid of them.
Another topic we discussed at the meeting was depression and teen suicide. People aren't always feeling inside what they appear on the outside. For example, there could be someone who appears gothic and dark on the outside but could be the happiest person in the world. Their facial expressions could be just very dull and flat, which might not reflect how they truly feel. On the other hand there was a person I knew of who seemed to have it all, played high school football, had lots of friends, was very outgoing, and had a nickname that expressed how happy and bright of a person he appeared to be. Sadly, no one knew how he felt inside, and ultimately he took his own life.
By discussing these topics with other teenagers, it has become more clear to me how important it is to stand up for others, to not "judge a book by its cover," and to reach out and help someone who may be really hurting on the inside.
My name is Emily O'Neill and I am a sophomore at Bellaire High School. I love to be around my friends and meet new people! I also really enjoy music of all different types and being in the know on the latest Hollywood gossip. The reason that I joined YPAC is because I also have a large interest in Criminal Justice, and I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to learn a lot about a lot of things in my community!
Playing through Peer Pressure
By: Joli Holland
About two weeks ago, I shared what I had learned in my last Y PAC meeting with my peers during my 7th period volleyball conditioning class. I wanted to inspire my teammates to work hard and to push through pain during workouts. My goal was to show them that life is about the choices you make, and you can choose to finish strong or to give up when the pressure comes on.
I asked them to imagine that they were in the weight room, working hard, pushing through their reps and doing well. When we rotate to the next station, they realize its incline, the station they've been struggling with since freshman year. Instead of just trying to do their best and finishing their reps, they cave in to peer pressure from their teammates and decide not to finish the whole ten reps. Meanwhile, a freshman who wouldve killed to have their varsity spot sees them not finishing or working hard. The freshman takes advantage and pushes twice as hard to finish their reps, power through gassers, bleacher circuits, and tire pulls; the freshman becomes faster and stronger. The results show up on paper, August 1st, when the freshman has taken their spot as one of the starters on varsity.
The moral to all this is that when you decide to cave in to peer pressure, you become a vulnerable target. People can take advantage of you directly and indirectly, as shown in the example above. Life goes on with or without you; the game goes on with or without you. Some decisions you make wont only determine your time on the court but your position in life. Live everyday, making yourself and the people around you better. Be a leader, and lead by example. The fact that youre an athlete puts the spotlight on you. Remember, high school is a great experience. Take it one fabulous day at a time!
Introducing... Katrina Thibodeaux
My name is Katrina Thibodeaux, and I am a member of the Youth Police Advisory Committee (YPAC). The YPAC was created in 1997 and allows teenagers to provide a source of insightful input to the Houston Police Department. Currently, we have 54 members representing various school districts. Being a part of YPAC has influenced my way of thinking about things, and I'm glad I was granted the opportunity to be a part of this organization. I am honored to say that my experience with YPAC has allowed me the freedom to voice my opinion and thoughts about events that affect the lives of others. The meetings are fun and tailored for teens, and I always leave with something to think about. YPAC has also provided me the opportunity to attend leadership programs such as the Tobacco and Youth Leadership Training. In addition, YPAC has given me some of the skills I will need to become a successful leader; I am able to communicate with people better, I have more of an open mind, and I am more organized. I look forward to this year and all it has to offer.
Katrina Thibodeaux is a native Houstonian. She is the daughter of Gregory and Trinia Thibodeaux and is the 5th of six children. She is presently a senior at G. W. Carver Magnet School, located in the Aldine School District. There, she serves as Student Council Representative, Homecoming Queen, and a member of the International Thespian Society. Katrina has received many accolades such as National Society of High School Scholars for Academic Achievement and Excellence, Outstanding Achievement Award for Superior Performance in U.S. History, Academic A/B Honor Roll, District 18-AAAAA One Act Play Advancing play, Certificate of Excellence in Theatre, and Star in the Making Award. She also received a STAR Panther award for hard work, good discipline, good attendance and good attitude. Katrina has served and still serves as a volunteer for various non-profit organizations in Houston, such as Re-Ward Third Ward Inc. - Garden Patch Project, Families Under Urban and Social Attack, Houston Food Bank, Khakis for Collars, and Humble Area Assistance Ministries (HAAM) Childrens Fair, just to name a few. She is a returning representative for the Youth Police Advisory Committee for the second year and believes in its mission statement. She is also a very active member of the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Edwin A. Davis, where she serves diligently in the Drill Team, Drama Ministry and Youth Choir. Katrina enjoys hanging out with her friends, spectator sports, singing and designing things. She is a well rounded and conscientious leader who upon her graduation plans to attend college and major in Communications.
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