Over the past year, they've consumed 60 pizzas and about 130 Cokes and Sprites. They've posed for pictures to illustrate stories in Xtreme. They've appeared on television and radio. They've participated in a community forum about education and the state of the schools.
The Xtreme Teen Board members have discussed, debated and written about topics that affect teens -- things like music, friendship, school, college applications, life choices and gossip. After the school shootings in Colorado and Atlanta, they offered readers their perspective on the unanswerable question of "why?"
Although they didn't always agree on everything, they learned to respect each other's opinions. And they became friends.
"I'd do this again in a heartbeat," said teen board member Kim Bailey, a junior at Evans High School. "I love it. You get to voice your views. You have your picture in the paper. People know who you are. And everyone's so diverse -- you hear so much different stuff, different ideas."
"From doing all the writing I've done this year, I've really noticed a big difference in my poetry and short stories," said Ashley Stevens, a Harlem High School sophomore.
"You talk about stuff that's affecting teens in Augusta, stuff that matters," said Evans High School junior Elaine Maldonado.
"You meet lots of new people and do new things," said Davidson Fine Arts junior Dimitrius Peggins. "I would never have met any of these people if I wasn't on the teen board."
If any of this sounds interesting to you, maybe it's your turn.
The purpose of Xtreme is to give young readers and members of the community a voice. But we can't talk to every single teen in the area -- we need help. Xtreme board members serve as ambassadors -- they speak for themselves, their families, friends, neighborhood and school.
If interested, just fill out the application on Page 2 and send it in by Friday, Sept. 3.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2013 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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