Thursday, September 4

SU Ag Center Counts Down to Annual Back-to-School Summit in Lafayette


Event announcement
Baton Rouge, LA - The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, through its Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives, will host its 14th Annual Back-to-School Summit on Thursday, September 11, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Blackham Coliseum, Lafayette, LA.

Now in its 14th year, this 10-parish event is a collaborative effort between the SU Ag Center’s Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives and 40 non-profit organizations, state agencies, local municipal governments, and businesses.

The summit aims to accomplish the following goals and objectives: To provide a neutral platform for open dialogue among teens and service providers; To assist teens in making healthy life choices; To present current information regarding sexually transmitted diseases and their impact on teens; To promote abstinence and/or deter pre-marital sex; and To facilitate informed behavioral choices among teens about alcohol and tobacco use.

The summit is free and open to all 8th graders in Acadia, Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Evangeline, Lafayette, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Martin, and Vermilion Parishes.

“The 2013 summit was, indeed, a success as reported by the 2,250 students and school personnel who attended from Avoyelles, St. Landry, Evangeline, Pointe Coupee, St. Martin, Lafayette and Vermilion Parishes. Our challenge for this year's summit is to, get 100% participation from (approximately 3,000) 8th graders residing in all 10 parishes serviced by the Southwest Center.  The ultimate goal, as always is to educate and inform participants about the prevailing youth-related issues to the point that they are persuaded to make positive and healthy behavioral choices throughout their new school year,” said Dr. Wanda Burke, Director.

For further details, contact the Southwest Center for Rural Initiatives at (337) 943-2410.

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Contact:
Bridget Udoh
(225) 771-5714

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