SpeakUp! will return to Moorestown High School on Wednesday, Jan. 13. Registration is from 6 to 6:40 p.m., with the event beginning at 6:45 p.m.
SpeakUp!, sponsored by Moorestown High School and the Home and School Association, is a program intended to spark conversation among parents, high school students and educators in regards to some of the most important issues that students are confronted with everyday. SpeakUp! has reached over 85,000 youth, parents and educators at over 150 schools since the program started in 2000.
A committee of MHS students planning SpeakUp! have chosen five topics for this year’s event including: Relationships, Stress, Alcohol and Drugs, Self Worth/Self Image, and Sex.
The opening speaker will be Dr. Treat. Dr. Treat is the Director and CEO of Council for Relationships, the nation’s oldest and largest counseling agency. He teaches at Jefferson University and is an in-demand speaker, consultant and media expert. Dr. Treat can be seen regularly on NBC’s 10! Show, and has appeared on ABC, CBS, NBC and CN8 news and talk show programs.
Following the opening speaker will be breakout sessions on the five topics in which students, parents and educators can voice their opinion on the topic in a safe and nonjudgmental manner. This gives everyone an opportunity to look at the topic from different perspectives. Parents and their child will not be in the same breakout session to allow for comfort and openness.
Some goals of this years SpeakUp! Committee are: Better communication with our parents, friends and loved ones; Build trust; Make parents and teens more comfortable talking about sex, drugs, alcohol, etc.; Create a good experience for others; Make an impact in someone’s life.
All parents, high school students and educators are encouraged to attend. We hope to see you there for this truly unique and educational program that you will remember for your entire life.
To register visit www.speakup.org. Due to the overwhelming response last year at the evening’s on-site registration, it is highly recommended for everyone planning to attend to pre-register online by Wednesday, January 6th.