Stop Underage Drinking
Apolo Anton Ohno stops in Philly!
Apolo Anton Ohno today visited La Salle Academy in inner-city Philadelphia today, joined by kids from St. Malachy School, St. Laurentius School, San Miguel School, and Hope Partnership for Education. Many of these kids’ potential is limited by social, academic, or financial challenges. Apolo reached out to them, telling them that as long as they stayed focused and driven to succeed, nothing could stand in their way.
"I don’t know what’s going on with you and what your situation is, but it’s not over until it’s over. I may start off the race at the back of the pack, but at the end of the race, I win it."
This is why we believe partnering with athletes like Apolo is so important. When an eight-time Olympic medal winner, himself the child of a single parent, is telling you that saying ‘YES’ to a healthy lifestyle and ‘NO’ to underage drinking will help them accomplish their goals, they’ll believe it.
Thanks to everyone at La Salle Academy for such a great event! You rock.
CNN, Ask Listen Learn, Atlanta, Apolo!
Hello Atlanta! In our effort to bring Ask, Listen, Learn to every conceivable part of the country (let’s go ahead and make it a 50 state goal,) we enlisted the help of Apolo Anton Ohno to reach out to the kids of Kennedy Middle School!
But first, we made a trip to CNN headquarters in Atlanta! Apolo explained what the Ask, Listen, Learn is all about: educating kids to have the confidence to go out in the world and make healthy, active decisions.
The kids were pumped to see Apolo, and eager to learn. We’re enormously thankful to everyone at Kennedy Middle school for the warm reception, and we hope they enjoy the Ask, Listen, Learn interactive activity we left behind!
Dara Torres joins the team, Apolo Anton Ohno comes back for another tour!
We’ve got some news about two of our favorite athletes…
Please welcome Dara Torres, our newest Ask, Listen, Learn super star! This five-time Olympic athlete is a fierce athlete and a great role model, winning twelve Olympic medals over her career!
Apolo Anton Ohno is also joining with us again to help spread the message of Ask, Listen, Learn!
On April 13th we’re heading down to Atlanta, GA with Apolo to visit Kennedy Middle School! Apolo will be demonstrating the Ask, Listen, Learn interactive activity, telling kids to say ‘YES’ to a healthy lifestyle and ‘NO’ to underage drinking. Stay tuned for pictures and video from the event!
On April 14th, we’ll be heading up to Philadelphia, PA with Apolo, to St. Michael’s Parish.
On April 20th, we’ll head to the Arlington Science Focus Elementary School, in Arlington, VA, and Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School in Laurel, MD.
But we’re saving the best for last. On April 22nd, SuperStars Dara Torres and Apolo Anton Ohno will be participating in Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day in Washington, DC! Check our events page for details!
The Century Council brings Ask Listen Learn to Liberty, NC!
Braving thunderstorms and tornadoes, The Century Council brought its Ask, Listen, Learn program to Liberty, NC on Monday for an event with Rep. Howard Coble (NC-06.)
We had a great event. The kids were excited to try the Ask, Listen, Learn interactive activity – learning about the dangers of underage drinking - while also breaking out in a sweat. Kids also learned about the Ask, Listen, Learn site, where they can register profiles and read about SuperStars such as Apolo Anton Ohno!
Thanks Principal Miller, and of course Rep. Coble for taking part in this event! And thanks to the kids of Northeastern Randolph Middle School for saying ‘YES’ to a healthy lifestyle and ‘NO’ to underage drinking!
Check below for pictures of the event!
Underage drinking, still a problem
New statistics on underage drinking are in.
Nearly 28% of American youth aged 12-20 reported consuming alcohol in the past month, according to data released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, reflecting a relatively stagnant trend in underage drinking nationally. Rates were lowest in Utah (13.7%,) with North Dakota and Vermont at the top of the list (40.6 and 40.4, respectively.)
Of this 28%, only 9% reported buying the alcohol themselves the last time they drank. This in itself is heartening. Our Cops In Shops program, now in 49 states, focuses specifically on making it difficult for underage drinkers to acquire alcohol. We think this program has been pretty successful. However, the relatively small number of underage purchasers of alcohol this points to the need for stronger, more sensible social host laws to prevent teens from getting alcohol from parties or parents.
Alaska and New Mexico had the lowest rates of self-purchase, at 3.1 and 3.7%, respectively. This rate was highest in Louisiana and the District of Columbia, both at 18.8%.
While we’re disappointed by the lack of movement in these numbers, we’re seeing a lot of progress in some states. We’re going to keep working to ensure that the numbers keep dropping.
125th AAHPERD National Convention & Exposition
The Century Council is pleased to be exhibiting this year at the 125th American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) National Convention & Exposition.
AAHPERD is an alliance of five national associations, six district associations, and a Research Consortium serving 22,000+ members. AAHPERD is dedicated to the professional development of physical education and health education teachers, students, researchers and others who promote an active and healthy lifestyle every day. The Century Council will be demonstrating its new interactive Ask, Listen, Learn activity to convention attendees. In addition, The Century Council will be distributing Ask, Listen, Learn program-related materials.
The Convention and Exposition starts today and goes through the 19th. If you're there, stop by and check out the interactive activity and our materials!