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Teen Pregnancy Alliance Rolls Out New 'Positive' Logo

Marc Valero/Highlands Today

Healthy Start Division Director Jackie Rawlings holds the old logo for the Highlands County Teen Pregnancy Prevention Alliance in her right hand and the new logo in her left hand. The logo will be imprinted on promotional gifts such as tote bags (shown) and pens, calculators and visors.

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By MARC VALERO | Highlands Today

Published: July 3, 2008

SEBRING — A teen boy and teen girl are in touch with a world of success.

That illustration of two hip teens in the new logo for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Alliance is in sharp contrast to the old logo with an illustration of a side view of a pregnant teen.

"It's more updated, more upbeat and more positive," said Jackie Rawlings, Healthy Start division director.

Both logos state "Why Risk It!" but the lettering was larger and in the upper portion of the old logo. The new logo spells out "success" across a globe, which is above the "Why Risk It!"

Based on input from the alliance, one of the companies that sells promotional gifts developed the new design.

"We showed them the logos for the 'Go Guys and Go Girls' [programs] and told them we wanted to combine them and make it look upbeat and they did a great job," Rawlings said. A few refinements were made based on comments from those who critiqued it.

The logo will be imprinted on gift items, for distribution at health fairs, such tote bags, pens, visors and calculators.

"Go Guys and Go Girls" are eight-week afterschool programs that encourage students to build leadership skills, self confidence and decrease risky behavior involving alcohol, drugs, tobacco and sex.

It helps to get the kids more in tune with themselves and feeling more confident, Rawlings said.

The program, along with the eighth-grade teen summits, was run with a $60,000 state grant. That state abstinence grant ended June 30, which helped the alliance expand "Go Girls and Go Guys.' The Go programs were offered this year at all the middle and high schools.

"They [state] will be calling for the submission of new applications in July and we do plan to apply and hopefully we can even get some extra money," Rawlings said. The grant program indicates there may be additional funding available.

A federal grant application for $80,000, with Highlands pairing up with DeSoto County, is also in the works. The alliance is expecting to know in August if they will receive that grant.

"That's a whole lot more money, but a whole nation that is competing for it," Rawlings said.

Marc Valero can be reached at 386-5826 or mvalero@highlandstoday.com.

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