Some teens are trying to fit in with a group. Others are bored or rebellious.

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Nikasha Dicks/Staff

Christine Fox talks during the Positive Attitude Young Ladies program meeting.

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Then there are those who simply don't care.

Teen violence and a recent spate of violent incidents were the topics of discussion during the Positive Attitude Young Ladies program March 4.

Members discussed how and why teen violence starts and how it can be stopped. By the end of the meeting, though the solutions varied, they agreed they wanted to be instrumental in helping to prevent violence.

Providing an outlet for teens to talk out their emotions and thoughts, as Positive Attitude does for its participants, is one way, Alexandria Cotton said after the meeting.

"It's a way to get you to calm down and really think about things and the consequences," said the 17-year-old. "It's also a good way for you to step back and ask yourself, 'What can I do to help prevent this?' and 'How can I make sure I do the right things?' "

Ashley Gainer, 17, agreed.

"You don't want to go out and do what some of the other people are doing. You don't want to go down the wrong path. You want to know where you're going, and I think this helps you figure that out," she said.

Positive Attitude Young Ladies is a new program at Cross Creek High School. It has about 20 participants, said Christine Fox, one of the group's mentors and the administrative assistant for the school's Career, Technical and Agricultural Education department.

Dr. Doris Good, a CTAE teacher, and Cross Creek Assistant Principal Tonya Bradburn are also mentors for the group, which consists mostly of sophomores and juniors.

The program started in November. Participants meet at least once a month to talk candidly about topics affecting their lives, the school and the community. They also give each other advice and encouragement, which shows maturity and care for one another, Fox said.

The peer-to-peer interaction is one of the things Alexandria says she enjoys most about the group.

"I like being able to talk with everybody," she said. "It's easy to get your thoughts out about what you feel and not feel like you have to go along with what everyone else is saying. We all get to speak our mind."

The mentors also share information, guidance and encouragement during the meetings.

"We want to promote positive attitudes for the student and be a part of positive change in their lives. We want to lay a solid foundation for them to build on," Fox said. "We want them to become productive citizens and empower them to develop positive attitudes and personal responsibility. That's our main goal for this."

Participating in the group has been beneficial, Ashley said.

"I'm shy, but it's helping me to break out of my shell," she said. "It's actually giving me courage and belief that I can do something, that I can make something out of my life and no one can tell me that I can't."

The group's impact is being seen by more than just the participants, Fox said.

"This is a wonderful group of young ladies. Some of the teachers have come to me and told me that they've seen a difference in them, just by being a part of the group," she said. "It's touching when I hear that, because it lets me know our system is working."