Salem-News.com Youth articles Page 44

Survey Says Oregon 8th Graders Who Drink Pick Hard Liquor over Beer

Contrary to popular belief, beer is not No. 1 alcoholic beverage consumed by teens who drink.

(SALEM) - A new statewide survey of Oregon eighth-and 11th-graders reports disturbing data about the middle-schoolers' underage drinking -- but also some good news for parents.

The Healthy Teens survey conducted annually by the Oregon Department of Human Services found increased rates of binge drinking among eighth-graders, a larger share of eighth-graders saying alcohol is easy to obtain and significant numbers at both grade levels reporting negative consequences of underage drinking.

More than 13 percent of eighth-graders reported having engaged in binge drinking.

Grand Opening Set for Juvenile Department Market and Coffee Shop

(SALEM) - The Marion County Juvenile Department announces the grand opening of the Fresh Start Market and Coffee Shop located at 3030 Center Street N.E. All are invited to attend the opening ceremony on September 13th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

The Marion County Juvenile Department is committed to public safety through holding youth accountable, compensating crime victims, and developing positive youth skills and behavior change.

The Juvenile Department provides a continuum of services and consequences including: detention, probation supervision, shelter care, community service and work skill development.

Report: U.S. Child-Support Receipt Up; Reliance on Public Assistance Down

About 45 percent of custodial parents due child support received the full amount, and about 76 percent received at least some child support in 2003.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - More child support is being received, and a rise in employment rates of custodial parents match a decline in participation in public assistance programs, according to a report released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The report, Custodial Mothers and Fathers and Their Child Support: 2003, reveals that 7 million custodial parents received 69 percent of the money owed to them by the noncustodial parent. Thirty percent were receiving assistance from the government.

This was an improvement from 1999, when custodial parents were collecting just 59 percent of the money. Forty-one percent were relying on public help in 1993.

BLUEPRINT for YOUTH: Nuances for our Next Generation

(SALEM) - LIVING LIFE involves exposure to stress. How each of us deals with such stress relates to our degree of mental health.


We have a dichotomy of references - Eugenics and Euthenics - both derived from Greek roots. Eugenics stems from inborn factors based on breeding, namely the genes passed on from parent to child. Euthenics, on the other hand, flows from the impact of the external environment on the individual. Together they form a curious partnership that shapes our parsonality and behavior.


Personality factors begin while we are still in the womb, since the genes have already begun to weave the human fabric.


However, external factors still manage to intrude even before the placenta sees the light. Nutrition impacts growth, and thus the mother's intake can affect the outcome...

Polk County Youth Program Seeking Foster Parents

To become a foster parent, or for more information call the Polk County Youth Program at (503) 623-2042.

(DALLAS) - The Polk County Youth Program is seeking dedicated people who want to become foster parents for at-risk youth.

Caring homes are needed for youths ages 12-18 who have emotional and behavioral issues.

Youths who are part of the Polk County Youth program have progressed through the system, have a criminal record, or are on parole from the Oregon Youth Authority.

The program, however does not accept youths who are considered a danger to the community such as fire setters, and un-treated sex offenders.

Spoke Folk Arrives in Silverton

Trinity Lutheran Church will host the youth group's special program

(SILVERTON) - A great group of young adult bikers aged 16-20, known as Spoke Folk, will be in Silverton on Tuesday, August 1st.

This spirited group will present an exciting, interactive, contemporary music program including music, drama, and puppets for all ages to enjoy.

The members of the Spoke Folk team represent many states and a few have come from a long way. During their 12-day tour, they will bike from their training site to six other communities in Oregon averaging 40 miles a day. Each evening while “on the road,” they share their musical program.

Music Scholarships Awarded to Eight Salem-Keizer High School Students

The Harold J. Withnell Music Scholarship-named in honor of Dick Withnell's late father, a high school band teacher, was inspired by the movie, Mr. Holland's Opus.

(SALEM) - Eight Salem-Keizer high school students were presented with the Harold J. Withnell Music Scholarship.

The awards were handed out on May 16th by Dick and Gayle Withnell.

Along with the student finalists, district music supervisor Karl Raschkes, music teachers and principals from the respective high schools, parents and community representatives were in attendance.

Active Parents Reduce Odds of Underage Drinking`s Risk to Kids

(SALEM) - You've seen the statistics: Nearly every alcoholic began drinking before age 21.

And kids who start drinking before age 15 are five times more likely to have alcohol problems than those who wait.

Yet getting kids not to drink can be challenging. Beer is almost as cheap as soda pop. And there's the peer pressure.

Now you're facing a summer when they have no classes, no homework and fewer sports, clubs and other activities to keep them occupied.

Salem-Keizer Education Foundation Welcomes New Board Members, Officers

(SALEM) - Five new community leaders are joining the board of directors of the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation.

The Foundation will induct new board members and officers during its annual meeting on June 2nd.

Dennie Brooks, Diane Meza Childs, Jackie Franke, Velda Schooler and John Weeks are the newest Foundation board members.

All are active community volunteers and have previously held leadership positions on other nonprofit boards and committees.

Brooks is a health careers specialist at Salem Hospital.

Meza Childs is marketing director for the Oregon State Fair and Expo Center.

Salem-Keizer High School Student Art Show Awards

(SALEM) - Salem-News.com would like to congratulate the following high school students who received recognition at this year's Student Art Show at Bush Barn Center.