Web Design by A Edwards Design.
© MissSouthlake.org. All Rights Reserved.

Miss Southlake Outstanding Teen 2006
Kendall Morris

From Lemons to Lemonade: Turning Peer Pressure Inside Out

I believe one of the biggest problems facing America's youth today is peer pressure. Everywhere, kids are being pressured by their peers to make bad decisions that could eventually affect the rest of their lives. In the past, peer pressure has been given a negative connotation. I plan to give peer pressure a twist-a lemon twist-and turn it into a positive.

The focus of my platform is turning negative peer pressure into positive peer pressure using lemons to lemonade as an example. A lemon by itself is very sour, but when sugar and water are added to the lemon juice, it becomes a refreshing glass of lemonade. It is the same with peer pressure. An individual who keeps his gifts and talents to himself may turn inward and be very subject to peer pressure-a very sour prospect. By first encouraging those individuals to use their gifts and talents by becoming involved in activities in their schools, churches, and communities, we are adding the water and sugar to produce that delicious glass of lemonade. Involvement in these positive activities has been shown to be a catalyst for kids to make better grades, to be less likely to be involved with drugs and alcohol, to prevent teen pregnancies, and to be less likely to drop out of school.

I believe most problems facing teenagers today originally start with peer pressure. My issue encompasses teaching America's youth to be leaders and not followers, by encouraging them to be wise in what they say and do. Our life's path is determined by a series of choices. Teaching our youth that even following one wrong decision can have a tremendous impact on their destination in life, and encouraging them to be wise in what they say and do is the second point of my platform.

The third step in turning negative peer pressure to positive peer pressure is teaching young people to choose their friends wisely. The people kids hang out with influence them whether they realize it or not. As an old saying goes, "Show me your friends, and I'll show you your future."

Peer pressure is an issue that needs to be addressed now before more teens fall prey to its influence. As a Texas teen who knows the pressures faced by today's youth, I am encouraging kids of all ages to take a "lemonade stand" to get involved in activities that will impact their lives in a positive way, to be wise in what they say and do, and to choose their friends carefully so that they are good influences among their peers wherever they go.