There is a constant flurry of activities, responsibilities and challenges for middle school and high school students. Along with academics and athletics, students are responsible for their personal choices each day. In some instances, these choices may not be the best option. However, an organization of students in the Jones County School District who are involved in Teens Getting Involved for the Future (TGIF) are working to set an example for their peers to make positive choices throughout life.

TGIF began as a community health initiative in 1997. The program trains teen leaders to teach abstinence education, leadership skills and the negative effects of drug and alcohol usage to 7^th grade students in the Jones County School District. Former program leader, Jenny Lacey explains the program. “There are many goals of TGIF, with the main being to reduce the teenage pregnancy rate in our county,” says Lacey. “We also work to educate students on important issues they face daily, so that they can make an informed decision.”

Students in 11^th and 12^th grade at Northeast Jones, South Jones and West Jones High Schools choose to participate in TGIF to educate students in 7^th grade. The curriculum taught is specifically designed for 7^th graders to help understand and apply to their lives.

“The TGIF curriculum works,” states Lacey. “When I began my tenure as the program leader in 2008, the teenage pregnancy rates were high but we have seen a steady decrease each year since then. It is great to see high schoolers becoming leaders in the classroom. These are the cheerleaders, basketball players and drama students that are working with 7^th graders. The 7^th graders respect the older students and it is great to see one student helping another.”

For students to participate, all 7^th graders must have a signed permission slip. Teen leaders go through extensive training to be able to educate the middle schoolers.

“Each month, the group meets to discuss the curriculum, teach lessons and work on leadership roles,” says Lacey. “At the beginning of the new year we schedule a day to attend a camp. It is a great experience because we learn about team building and how to rely on others. I am always so proud of the students because they take those skills and apply it in the classroom.”

Jones County is the only area that offers this type of program in the state. Since the inception of the program in 1997, hundreds of 11^th and 12^th graders have participated and thousands of 7^th graders have become educated. The support from the administration of the school and school nurses have been instrumental in the success of the program.

“The Jones County School District nurses have worked closely with South Central Regional Medical Center and TGIF program for many years,” says Shawn Smith, RN, Jones County School District Nurse.
“We feel the program has been successful in promoting healthy decision making attitudes, presenting current and accurate medical information, and conducting skill building activities. We look forward to a continued team approach for the Choosing the Best Path curriculum.”

As the 2016 school year began, a new program leader emerged for TGIF. Former TGIF teen leader, Chelsea Tew, has stepped into the role as TGIF leader. Chelsea uses her experience as a fellow TGIF member and a public school educator to work toward helping children make good choices.

“As a teen leader in 2007, I thought the program was important because it taught the values that were a priority in my life,” says Tew. “I applied abstinence to my life and I was able to live out the goal of the program. As a student teacher you are nervous at first, but once you learn that the younger kids look up to you, you realize how important your actions are.”

Chelsea Tew, husband, Rahn and son, Jake.

Jenny Lacey, former leader of TGIF, explains the role of the coordinator. “The program is very near and dear to my heart. It was a fun role to serve as TGIF Leader, but it was also an important role. The teenagers look up to the leader as well as the high school students. With Chelsea serving as a teen leader, and now as the program leader, she will be able to set an example and serve as role model. Each year the goal was always one student, one change.”

TGIF is pleased to introduce Chelsea Tew as the new program leader and looks forward to her commitment that she is making to better the youth in our community. Chelsea is married to Rahn Tew and they have one son, Jake. Chelsea is a graduate of West Jones High School and Mississippi State University. Her family are members at Life Church in Laurel.

South Central Health Care Foundation works with TGIF to meet the needs of the program. The Foundation provides support by purchasing educational material and leadership support with funds raised annually at Art of Healing and other fundraising events. For more information about TGIF, please visit scrmc.com or contact Chelsea Tew at ctew@scrmc.com.