“Workshop helps kids solve their problems without violence”
Frank Oliveri, The Journal News, March 14, 2000.

White Plains – Anthony Hanson sees gang colors in the halls of Mount Vernon High School every day, but “you have tolive your life; deal with it”
Hanson 15, and a soft-spoken and serious student, said he “loves” school and spoke instinctively about the lessons being taught to 200 high school students during the “Youth; Potential Unlimited…Unleash it!” conference yesterday at Purchase College.

The conference focused on the underpinning issues of violence in schools today; racial bias, stereotyping, cultural clashes and date rape and abuse.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover, but you can tell in you gut if something is going to happen,” Hanson said. “If you don’t look for trouble, trouble won’t find you.

The conference sponsors included the Great Potential Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Rockland and the Mid Hudson Association of Pre-College Programs.

Harmony was the rule of the day, from the frank discussion of issues to the raucously inspiring Groove Phi Groove Step Team, who closed the conference with a heart pounding routine.

“Often, when you focus in on violence, you focus on the problems and not the solutions,” said Eduardo Gonzalez, a Director from the Cornell Cooperative. “We wanted to give them skills to be a caring, contributing member of the community.

Michelle Grant, 14 Carolyn Konce, 15, and Sherry Buckner, 14, of White Plains High School said they planned to watch out for each other because some boys are aggressive and sometimes are forceful when asking for dates.
“They follow you; they try to grab you,” Koonce said. “But you learn not to mess with that kind of boy again.”

“They’re also not afraid to act as chaperons when their friends are being pursued by aggressive boys.