Whitko Students 'Expect Respect'

LARWILL - There's acting, some singing and even a little dancing.

But behind all the entertainment are 14 Whitko High School students who want to positively influence other teenagers. And they do that by being members of Whitko's Expect Respect team.

"We are a group of teens that travel to different high schools to give encouragement and inspiration you don't get from adults," said senior Stephanie Haines. It's peer-to-peer positive influence, she said, so teens know they don't have to give in to negative peer pressure.

Senior Vanessa Staller said the group meets at 5 or 6 a.m. or 9 p.m. weekdays and also on weekends. In their discussions, the high school group tries to think of the problems today's teens are going through and how they can approach those issues. Haines said they address the problems in ways that adults don't.

Some of the issues Expect Respect addresses include violence, dating, staying healthy, drugs and "being yourself," said Haines, "this year especially."

Each year, the group tries to have a theme to their program. Last year, said Staller, it was an anti-violence theme. This year, it's just being yourself.

"If we don't believe in it," said Haines, "it doesn't come off right."

Junior Kory Vanderford said the group gets a lot of support from the Whitko School Board, and student responses vary.

"All in all, though," he said, "we get a very positive response."

Parents and teachers are also very supportive, the students said.

Sometimes, Haines said, they even get treated like rock stars and are asked to sign autographs. Of course, there are always the students who see the group as a joke, Haines said, but the group doesn't take it personally.

Part of being on the team - in which every member had to audition - is traveling. Last year, the group went to Missouri and 19 other states. In November, they are traveling to New York and also will travel to Minneapolis, Minn., and Pittsburgh, Pa. Expect Respect performs at Family Career and Community Leaders of America state conferences. It's at such conferences, the students said, where other high schools see them perform and then ask them to come to their high school for a performance.

Every student involved in Expect Respect has to commit to not only the program, but the code of conduct as well. Forty-two Whitko students auditioned for the team this year, said Staller, but only 14 are on the team. Nine are seniors.

All students involved are expected to put school work at the top of their priority list. And they manage to do this along with their other activities - sports, jobs and other clubs.

And for the students in Expect Respect, the benefits are as numerous as the responsbilities.

"I'm getting out of this, personal achievement," said Vanderford. He said he wants to spread the message to others to do the "right thing." Plus, he said, it's a lot of fun.

Haines said they also learn valuable skills, such as public speaking.

Diane Dials is the Expect Respect drama coach.

"Dials is the greatest," said Haines. "We can't ask for anyone better. She gives everything."

Expect Respect is a nonprofit organization formed approximately four years ago.

Members include seniors Russell Mynhier, Melissa Young, Stephen Whitaker, Vanessa Staller, Stephanie Haines, Matt Protzman, Chelsey Grant, Sheena Sharpe and Erin Whitt; juniors Alyssa Carlin, Brandon Schrader, Kory Vanderford and Jacob Phend; and sophomore Halie Allen.