FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                        November 15, 2007

NORTHWESTERN REPRESENTATIVES ATTEND YOUTH CONFERENCE

            Representatives from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Alva Public Schools earlier this month attended the Helping America’s Youth (HAY) regional conference held in Dallas.

            Dr. James Bowen, dean of the School of Professional Studies; Dr. Lisa Holder, director of teacher education; Dr. Martie Young, director of student teaching; Dr. Lyle Young, retired superintendent and adjunct professor at Northwestern; and Beverly Owen, principal of Longfellow Elementary School, attended the HAY meeting.

First Lady Laura Bush presents the keynote address at the Helping America’s Youth regional conference in Dallas. The meeting was attending by representatives from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Alva Public Schools.

Those attending the Helping America’s Youth regional conference include (from left) Dr. Lisa Holder, Beverly Owen, Dr. James Bowen and Dr. Martie Young. They, along with Dr. Lyle Young, attended the conference in Dallas to learn more about building community partnerships to benefit young people.

            First Lady Laura Bush was the keynote speaker and the conference also featured experts in pediatrics, juvenile justice, juvenile welfare, public health and community outreach programs. There also were testimonials from young people whose lives had been changed by caring adults.

In 2005, President George W. Bush announced a broad initiative to engage Americans in helping young people become healthy adults and asked the First Lady to lead those efforts.

The Helping America’s Youth initiative is a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the challenges facing youth, particularly at-risk boys, and to motivate caring adults to connect with young people in three key areas: family, school and community.

            President and Mrs. Bush believe that parents and family are the first and most important influence in every child's life. By becoming actively involved in the lives of young people in their community, teachers, mentors, clergy members, neighbors, coaches, and others can support parents and help youth make better choices that lead to healthier, more successful lives.

            The HAY initiative believes that caring adults are most effective as part of a community effort. Community partnerships bring together individuals such as teachers, mentors, parents, clergy members, police officers, social service providers and others who can have a positive impact on a child’s life.

            Ten federal agencies are working with the White House on this initiative. They are the Departments of Health and Human Services, Justice, Education, Agriculture, Interior, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development and Labor, as well as the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

            Northwestern and the Alva Public schools have worked together on several projects that involve the mentoring of students.

-NW-

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