Delaware Teen Idol auditions set in Lewes May 7

Sussex County teens ages 13-18 may audition for the Delaware Teen Idol competition sponsored by AIDS Delaware from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, May 7, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church parish hall. Individuals and groups must perform an original song, rap, dance, or poetry addressing safe sex, fatherhood involvement, anti-drug use, anti-violence, or anti-crime. This is a wonderful opportunity for youth to express themselves and their creative talents while promoting positive messages to other youth. Finalists will have the opportunity to compete in the Delaware Teen Idol state competition in Wilmington for a chance to win cash and cool prizes.

Delaware Teen Idol is a project that was created out of a need for youth to have an outlet to voice their concerns regarding some of the issues taking place in Delaware. Since its beginning in 2005, the program has become significant for the City of Wilmington. Youth consistently need to hear and see messages about safer sex, abstinence and the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. The issue is prevalent throughout the state, and organizers are now trying to spread the word in all counties.

The program consist of youth singers, rappers, and poets displaying their talents in one of the seven Wilmington Health Planning Councils prioritized health initiatives (Healthy Wilmington 2010): Access to Preventive Health Care, Chronic Disease Prevention: Early Detection, HIV/AIDS, Mental Health, Responsible Sexual Behavior: Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Substance Abuse, and Violence Prevention.
With this peer-to-peer approach, youth will be given educational messages that will challenge them toward behavior change.

Today's youth are impacted by numerous negative influences that promote anti-social behavior, and lifestyles consisting of crime, violence, drug dealing, drug/alcohol/tobacco use, and other maladaptive responses. Poor parenting, disruptive environments and unstable living arrangements have contributed to this dilemma. Moreover, recent proposed interventions aimed at addressing minority contact with the criminal justice system appear punitive and may also contribute to the dilemma.

The goals of Delaware Teen Idol are to:

• Encourage safer behaviors regarding drug and alcohol use
• Have youth seek HIV counseling and testing early
• Increase awareness about HIV, drug/alcohol use, teen pregnancy and mental health
• Increase awareness of HIV resource centers
• Increase awareness of HIV/AIDS, STD issues and other challenges that youth encounter
• Increase the number of youth linked to youth-friendly services and programs - AIDS DE provides clients with referrals to teen pregnancy prevention programs, substance abuse counseling and other necessary services
• Provide youth an outlet to voice their concerns regarding societal issues through creative expressions
• Be a catalyst to prevent juvenile delinquency/recidivism.

For more information or to register, contact Lorri Camilleri, family minister at St. Peter's Church, at 302-645-8479, Ext. 202, or lorri@stpeterslewes.org.