Teens Demonstrate Faith in Future

About 200 county teenagers gathered here Tuesday for “Oye! We Are the Future,” a youth rally where they heard motivational speeches urging them to stay strong in the face of such adversity as crime, drugs and family problems.

“This is great,” said Kara Boonsirisermsook, 17, of Santa Ana. “I’ve never been to anything like this before and I’m learning a lot.”

“A lot of teens here also are listening and learning that we shouldn’t feel alone and blame ourselves for things like alcoholic parents,” she added.

The summit was presented by the Orange County Bar Foundation’s Shortstop program, a juvenile crime prevention project. Shortstop used a $20,000 grant from the national nonprofit Oye! project for the all-day summit at the Phoenix Club.

Oye, which means “listen to me” in Spanish, also is an acronym for Opportunities for Youth Empowerment.

It was created by singer Gloria Estefan and Sears, Roebuck & Co. Oye! summits are taking place in cities where Estefan is singing on her Evolution Tour ’96.

She appeared Tuesday night at the Pond of Anaheim.

The summit included motivational speakers such as Darrell Jackson, a former Minnesota Twins pitcher; Gus Frias, a criminal justice specialist, and Susi Vanderlip, who delivered her inspirational message through a theatrical skit and dance.

Participants also took part in trust-building games and dancing.

In addition, former Juvenile Hall inmates talked about the consequences of a life of crime.

“This Oye! event is for the purpose of raising awareness of youth crime and is dedicated to teaching kids to be leaders in their communities, getting them feeling good about themselves and feeling positive about their abilities--assuring them that they can affect change,” said Rodger M. Carey, president of Orange County Bar Foundation.

Added Nancy Reed, a Shortstop spokeswoman: “The kids were given the message that they can make the right decision, that there are a lot of negative pressures but they have the power to take the right path.”

Boonsirisermsook said she understood.

“I could lose my way if I turn to drugs or give in to peer pressure,” she said. “Listening to these speakers, I feel I’m stronger to stand up for my values because there’s so much ahead of me.”