Last Updated: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 11:53 AM CDT
News : Message on non-violence inspires presenter to speak in Crandon, raise money for memorial fund
Mary Sue Engebretson - Tri-County Council
In the fall of 2007, Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault invited a small group of Crandon High School seniors to help spread the message that sexual assault, harassment and dating violence should not and will not be tolerated. The group of seniors consisting of Kylinn Engebretson, Carley Flanery, Keegan Kincaid and Jaryn LaBine, put together short dramatizations depicting inappropriate and appropriate behaviors and performed these skits to area middle school students.
The seniors did such a good job not only acting out the scenarios but facilitating question and answer discussions at the end of each performance that they were invited to present at the first Wisconsin Teen Summit on Dating Violence & Sexual Assault . This summit was held in Stevens Point on April 15 and 16, 2008. The attendance at the summit was approximately 300 individuals, both students and adults, who were interested in preventing teen relationship violence.
The Crandon High School group, while preparing for this event decided they needed a name that would describe their mission. TAG was born. TAG is the acronym for Teen Action Group.
“We are a group of teens who believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity. We believe that if you are a teen and in an abusive relationship or know someone who is in an abusive relationship, there is help available. We hope to spread the message that abusive is not just physical it can be mental and emotional and it is wrong,” said Kylinn Engebretson.
Carley Flanery also stated, “There are people that will listen and help you. You are not alone. If you don’t have anyone to trust and talk to, the four of us will always be available to listen.”
TAG’s presentation at the summit was a huge success. At the end of their performance they told the audience that they would answer any questions about the performance or since it tied in with teen dating violence, they would answer questions about the October tragedy that took the lives of their friends.
MarySue Engebretson from Tri-County Council said, “I was amazed, proud and deeply moved by the grace and class our students showed when speaking about the horrible events of October 7, 2007. Their insights and feelings about how their fellow classmates and community pulled together and found strength at such a devastating time had a profound effect on everyone in attendance.”
The main presenter, Ben Atherton Zeman, was so touched by the Crandon story that he passed the hat for donations to be used towards the memorial and towards the medical bills for Charlie Neitzel, the sole survivor of the shooting. Mr. Zeman also offered to visit Crandon and present his program about dating violence and men’s violence against women to the high school students and to the community. Engebretson, Flanery, LaBine and Kincaid have been in contact with Mr. Zeman and the Crandon School administrators and have set a date for him to come to Crandon. The students are urging everyone to take the time to see this important presentation.
Ben Atherton Zeman is a nationally renowned speaker and entertainer whose message about violence is an educational and entertaining lesson for the young and old. He will perform at the Crandon High School auditorium for the public on Thursday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m. There is no cost for admission but a donation to the Crandon Memorial Fund would be appreciated at the door. Mr. Atherton-Zeman will entertain the Crandon High School students on Friday, May 23.
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