"Teens & Sex…The Real Truth 2006", a one-hour televised forum for middle school students premieres May 25 and will air through June 1 on each of the local television stations including Comcast Cable channels 14 and 99. This is the seventh consecutive year the Straight Talk show has aired. "We are pleased to be able to continue to provide this public service to the Jacksonville community. We have heard and learned from the middle schoolers themselves how much this information is needed and, each year, we receive gratitude from parents, teachers and agency leaders for initiating important conversation." stated Delores Barr Weaver, Chair and CEO of the Jaguars Foundation and founder of the Straight Talk program.
The forum is presented by the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation, in partnership with the Jacksonville media, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida and the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy airing during National Teen Pregnancy Prevention month. Since some studies show that sexual activity and awareness has increased in the middle school age group, this program will address issues that middle school students face today, such as peer pressure and the consequences of teen sex which include pregnancy and sexually-transmitted infections such as HIV/ AIDS. The purpose of the program is to promote thoughtful discussion and encourage responsible behavior.
The show will be co-hosted by actor and recording artist Orlando Brown from the Disney Channel's "That's So Raven" show and local broadcast personality Jennifer Candelino. The show will also feature Jaguars wide receiver Ernest Wilford (#19), ROAR cheerleader Heather, local radio personalities Amadeus and DJ Dr. Doom, and a special musical number performed by Orlando Brown. There will also be a special appearance by Jaguars owner and Foundation Chair/CEO Delores Barr Weaver. A studio audience of local middle school students will be discussing questions they have with medical and legal panelists and special guest panelist, youth advocate Shelby Knox from the Sundance Award-winning documentary "The Education of Shelby Knox." Also, Lisa Smith, a national teen speaker on living with HIV, will be on the show to share her story.
This year's show will also include a male responsibility piece featuring Jaguars players Joe Zelenka, Terry Cousin, Rashean Mathis, Brad Meester, and Todd Yoder.
Finalists of the Straight Talk Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest will be aired on the show and home viewers can vote for their favorite PSA on-line at straighttalk.jacksonville.com. This year's finalists are Bartram Trail High School, Kirby Smith Middle School and Paxon School for Advanced Studies. Entries were submitted from the greater Jacksonville area's middle and high schools. The winner will be judged on message, production quality, creativity and on-line votes. Previous winners have been Bartram Trail High School (2004) and Fleming Island High School (2005).
The Straight Talk website, straighttalk.jacksonville.com is available for more information about the show, a list of resources and to send any questions you may have beyond the broadcast of the show.
Teens & Sex…The Real Truth 2006 was produced and taped at WJCT-7.
