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AMHS Awareness Weekend promotes unity and tolerance In one of the "most successful Awareness Weekends to date," Amityville Memorial High School teacher Jason McGowan, along with 17 other staff members, spent more than 30 hours with 95 high school students during Awareness Weekend IX. The group's experience was much more than an overnight camp-out in the high school; it was an opportunity for ice-breaking and trust-building amongst students, and self-discovery for each individual participant, all of which resulted from the structured agenda that students were expected to follow and benefit from during their overnight stay. "I got to know a lot of people, and everyone who attended seemed to really come together as a group," stated senior Awareness Weekend participant Amy LaRosa. A major part of Awareness Weekend IX were powerful presentations made by guest speakers who gave of their time to address the students of AMHS on a variety of issues such as domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse awareness, and HIV/AIDS education. Keynote Speaker Lisa Regina began the weekend with a moving and motivational address to the students about violence in the home. Later in the evening, a student panel, including three current AMHS students and two graduates took the stage and shared inspiring stories of how past decisions they have made are now affecting their lives. "Listening to the speakers is a life changing experience that allows you to have a different perspective of people that you would never think face multiple hardships every day of their lives," stated Shannon Campbell. "Awareness Weekend lets you learn something new and it makes you a better person." The Bay Shore High School Peer Support Role Players, led by Bay Shore High School teacher Jim McGowan, made a special appearance on Saturday morning, and engaged the audience in a series of skits designed to provoke student opinion and feedback on sensitive issues such as interracial dating, HIV/AIDS exposure, and alcohol abuse amongst teenagers. Renowned alcohol awareness educator and motivational speaker Bill Ross also addressed the students during Awareness Weekend IX, stressing the dangers of alcohol abuse and its negative effects not just on the abuser, but on others in his or her life. Family Groups were another major component of the success of Awareness Weekend IX. The group work experience gave students the opportunity to process the information from the panel discussions in groups of 10 participants, and to connect with their peers in a non-threatening, non-judgmental environment. "I think that during this Awareness Weekend we had the biggest breakthroughs with people; they were really able to open up," said Tamara Ramirez.
Family groups also participated in a variety of activities such as The Looking Glass Self, Trust Walk, Care Chair and "Gift of Happiness." In one of the most
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