FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
19 February 2008
Contact: Pete Morsch
Telephone: 218/299.5437
Mobile: 701/866.0962
e-mail: mhcipete@cableone.net
Abstract
What: “MyFace University”, a student-led community education class discussing the ins and outs of social networking interenet sites like MySpace and Facebook.
Where: Oak Grove High School Computer Lab
When: Two (Identical) Sessions Available: Wednesday March 26 from 4:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. –or-Thursday March 27th from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M.
Cost: A suggested donation of $15, to further the expansion of Healthy Communities Partnership Contact: Pete Morsch at the Healthy Communities Partnership to pre-register (information above).
Sample Article
TECH-SAVVY YOUTH TO HOST CLASS FOR ADULTS
Area High-School Students Explain the Intricacies of Internet Networking
Fargo, ND –
Area high-school students have crafted a curriculum, arranged the use of a computer lab, and are ready to teach. The subject? Social networking on the net. The target audience? Their parents and other adults who just don’t get it yet.
Social networking websites like MySpace and Facebook absorb much of young peoples’ time and attention. It is a trend that concerns many adults. If you have ever wondered what your children are up to, or why they are spending so much time online, this is your chance to find out.
Who better to learn from than kids themselves? That was the thinking when Greg Tehven, University of Minnesota grad and co-executive director of Students Today, Leaders Forever, teamed up with area students Alex Windjue and Joe Burgum to create a community education course. The West Fargo Student Body President and the Oak Grove freshman, respectively, are excited to share the appeal and features of these social networking sites with adults.
With an eye toward the positive, healthy aspects of a better connected youth movement, this class aims to familiarize, not to demonize. Concerns about information sharing and identity theft, of course, will not be ignored.
“We want adults to be able to use the tool, to understand and communicate with their kids on their kids’ level,” says Tehven, glad to having young students serving as the experts in the project. “It needs to be known that there’s another world happening out there.”
“Students are the teachers,” says Windjue, “we’ll lead the discussion, and get a bunch of adults fully acclimated to the world of social networking.” He uses social networks to do it all, from keeping up with friends, organizing events and fundraisers, to double-checking homework assignments and coordinating class projects- positive activities that he hopes will change the minds of skeptical adults.
Two sessions will be offered, the first on Wednesday March 26 from 4:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.; the second on Thursday March 27th from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M. A suggested donation of $15 will go toward the Healthy Communities Partnership, sponsor and registrar of the event.
Both sessions will be held at Oak Grove Lutheran School’s computer lab.
It is the Mission of the Healthy Communities Partnership to mobilize the community, providing training and programs to connect all citizens with area children and young adults. HCP builds a strong network of assets essential for healthy development, and so aims to make the metro area the best place on the planet to be a kid.
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For more information, interview appointments, or clarification concerning this and related Programs of the Healthy Communities Partnership, please contact Pete Morsch (information above).
Press Release
