Abstinence banquet set for middle of February
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on January 24, 2008 1:57 PM
Local youths will be treated to a spaghetti supper and entertainment while learning about the benefits of abstinence during the 11th Annual Rose Banquet.
The banquet is sponsored by the Wayne Council on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention and will be Feb. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Wayne Center. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
It's free for youths in grades six through 12, who must be accompanied by an adult. Admission for adults is $6.
Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. Registration can be done online at www.waynegov.com/rosebanquet/ through Feb. 1 or by calling the Wayne Center at 731-1520 through Feb. 8.
The meal will include spaghetti, bread and tea from Pizza Inn. Ryan's Steakhouse will provide cookies.
Entertainment will be by a local drum line led by Orlando Mitchell and Christian artist D.J. Coles.
Wayne County 4-H'ers will perform the Rose skit, an abstinence drama, and a refusal skills program titled "Good Choices in Action," which was developed by staff at the Cooperative Extension Service.
Rovonda Freeman, public health education specialist with the Wayne County Health Department, will give information on choosing abstinence from a health-based point of view.
There will be door prizes. Youths attending will receive a free pregnancy council pen and cup and candy rose made by members of the Wayne County Extension and Community Association.
At the end of the banquet, youths will be given the opportunity to sign cards pledging to abstain from sexual activity until marriage.
"The response by this community to the Rose banquet has truly been amazing. We have even had calls from other counties wanting to know more about this event," said Carolyn King, vice president of the pregnancy council.