La Crosse, WI (WXOW) ----- The La Crosse Area Family YMCA Teen Center and local high school SADD Clubs have spent the last four months on a project that educates teens about the pitfalls of underage drinking. The project takes place over 4 months. And the final phase, is a concert.
"I'd say you should think about where your life is headed and try and make positive choices that will help you become a success," says musician Irene Kelly. "Because you don't want to surround yourself with people who will bog you down or lead you to potential problems."
Kelly is rare. A recent survey by an organization dedicated to stopping teen drinking found that three-fourths of 12th graders in the United States have consumed alcohol more than once.
Another musician, Nick Maas, says, "Some of the greatest musicians in history did it but it doesn't mean it's right. I kind of like to think of myself as taking the right path in music."
Members of the Y's teen center "Above the Influence" campaign say if you have a hobby and good people in your life it's easy to make the right choice.
Matt Clark says music helped him too. "Well, I've never been a part of the whole drug thing or anything. I've always known that's bad but this has helped me keep away from this stuff.
In Matt's words, music is his fix and the message comes through loud and clear.
Regardless of whether it's music, sports or anything in between these kids have taken the right path. Keeping away from bad influences, their way, through music.
The La Crosse Area YMCA Teen Center along with the Central High School and Logan High School SADD Clubs will host "Jammin above the Influence" on April 27th from 7 - 10 pm at the Y's Teen Center in La Crosse. The concert is free and open to the public.
