http://www.newssun.com/localnews/0502-davis-wyman

Special to the News-Sun

SEBRING -- Most Highlands County youth choose to do the right things. However, recent data shows us that there are a few areas where their choices can have a potential impact on their futures which in turn impacts the community.

Highlands County ranks ninth out of Florida's 67 counties for births to mothers under 18 years of age. According to the Florida Department of Health, there were 62 births to Highlands County teens under age 18 in 2008, the latest data available. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy estimates that these 62 births will cost the local community nearly $1.3 million. The costs include public assistance benefits for the child from ages 0 to 18. There are many underlying factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy.

One such factor that the Highlands County Teen Pregnancy Prevention Alliance is currently working to address through community programs is encouraging parents to have open and consistent dialogue with their children about risky behaviors such as sex, alcohol and drug use.

Through a $2,500 Heartland for Children Grant $500 from Drug Free Highlands, the Heartland Rural Health Network, TPPA and DFH were able to host Keith Davis, former football player and professional and motivational speaker, who spoke to parents and teens on issues such as communication, setting goals, peer pressure, and making healthy choices for their futures.

Davis was accompanied by Devin Wyman, former New England Patriot and Super Bowl champ. The non-denominational event was held on April 15 at the First United Methodist Church Sebring. More than 180 teens and parents attended.

Both Davis and Wyman displayed how hard work and training in the NFL paid off by amazing the crowd with their physical strength while tying their actions back to positive messages for the crowd. At one point during the show, Wyman placed a steel bar across the shoulders of two participants and explained that they needed to hold on tightly to the bar. He proceeded to lift the steel bar with one person positioned at each end over his head and spun them around in the air.

Davis wowed the crowd with his ability to bend a steel bar with his teeth and bent it into a "U" shape. The message was simple -- no matter how far you are going down a wrong path you can always make a U-turn to turn it around.

Both Davis and Wyman connected with the audience by sharing their own personal stories including their struggles and successes while growing up and encouraged girls to respect themselves and their body while boys learned to respect women and treat them like queens. Parents were encouraged to keep communication lines open with their children and keep involved in their lives.

When asked what they thought about the program, a teen girl stated, "I have learned that it is possible to have a very hard life and still accomplish my goals for my own future."

Parents praised the duo's messages. A few days after the event, one parent said, "As a parent it has provided dialogue with my son that continues today. The presentation allows us to talk about set-backs not being failures, merely opportunities to improve.

"I was impressed that both stayed well into the evening until every kid got to talk to them individually. This made the kids feel special. I have also heard from other parents that their daughters still talk about the experience."

especially the girl-boy relationship issues."

Many parents and teens waited after the presentation while Davis and Wyman spent time talking to them and autographing memorabilia. Many waited after the presentation while Davis and Wyman spent time talking to the youth and autographing memorabilia.