By Renee Brown a member of MADD's Power of You(th)™ National Teen Influencer Group and MADD's Youth activist of the Year.
Hey everyone! My name is Renee Brown and I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about underage drinking and what it means to me. Going into high school, I knew that alcohol would be present. I had seen on various TV shows teenagers having fun with alcohol. The shows also showed what could go wrong because of it. I instantly knew I didn’t want to be a part of that. Freshmen year I saw the direct impacts alcohol could have on my peers and the ridicule that came because of the choices made under the influence. Rumors, wild nights and not remembering the stupid things that they did were not things on my list of things to do. I wanted to remember my stupid mistakes and remember all the silly times I had with my friends. I wanted to remember my high school memories and not become the laughing stock in other people’s memories.
My high school principal approached me and invited me to join a group called YCAE, a group of teens against underage drinking. And because she was my principal and I was a freshman, of course I couldn’t refuse her. I’ve learned so much in this group and this issue has now become my passion. The risk to teens makes me want to fight to give my generation a chance. I want a generation that is able to remember high school and will live to see their children and that the next generation prospers.
The prior generation, our parents, can be the biggest influencers in our decisions not to drink. I want to impress my parents and want to make them proud in everything I do. I put them on a pedestal and look up to them because they are my ultimate role models. I know that my mom and dad are one of the biggest factors in my choice not to drink. Let your parents be yours.
Lastly I want to remind you that it’s the Power of You(th). You have to take a stand against underage drinking. Adults, listen to the younger generation because we hold the power of tomorrow. With great power comes great responsibility, so let’s use the power wisely and take a stand.
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