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Highlands Today

Keeping Teens Active

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

From left: Anna Schmidt, 16, as the witch, Cameron Reck, 16, as the baker and Sarah Sager, 17, as the baker's wife rehearse on stage for SFCC Summer Theatre Institute's production of Into the Woods at the Highlands County Little Theatre in Sebring.

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By BILL RETTEW JR.

Highlands Today

Published: November 2, 2008

SEBRING - There's nothing for teenagers to do in Highlands County.

Those words have become a mantra for some local teens, and an excuse for many to move away, in search of greener pastures after high school graduation.

Cody Breen is a 17-year-old senior at Sebring High School who found plenty to do locally.

"It's a lie," Breen said when asked if there is nothing for teens to do here.

Blind since birth, Breen said he gets bored about once a week, but then picks up a guitar and entertains himself.

Breen also plays the drums and is a trumpeter for the Sebring High School Blue Streaks Marching Band.

The member of the Homecoming court regularly hits Florida amusement parks to ride roller coasters. He enjoys surprises and asks his friends not to tell him when a flip or huge drop is approaching.

Breen found time to volunteer at Terror Trail, a local Halloween attraction. He especially enjoyed entertaining guests.

"I have a passion for acting," he said. "I like being something different than what I am. It's fun to turn into the character of somebody else."

Teenager Matt Gabor, of Avon Park, also volunteered to work Terror Trail and is a junior at Avon Park High School. He enjoys skateboarding or catching a movie and bowling when he can afford to.

"For those who say there isn't much to do here, there probably is not much to do anywhere. Because once you're there, you'll be used to it and want to do more," said Gabor.

Austin Westergom is 12 years old and about to become a teenager, but has already accepted many of the responsibilities of adulthood as an actor at Highlands Little Theatre.

Westergom think it's funny that teens regularly say there's little in the county to do.

"They don't want to get involved," said Westergom. "If I get bored, it's very brief, and then I do something."

Lydia Ford, 15, acts on the stage along with Westergom.

"If there's not much out there for us, we have to make our own fun," said Ford.

Gary Crites, of Sebring, participates in something that has kept kids and adults around the world busy for more than 2,000 years.

The 18-year-old Bible college student spends 26 to 30 hours at church, school and other church-related activities each week.

"Whatever you are putting into your head are things you're going to act out," said Crites. "Continually renewing your mind with God's word - otherwise the Bible - gives me a better outlook on life. And keeps me from doing things that wouldn't glorify God."

Between workouts at the YMCA and church activities, Crites volunteers as a manual laborer for needy seniors.

"It gives me a job helping other people and a sense of accomplishment, instead of trying to live for myself," he said.

Like many teens, Brittany Ricker, a Sebring High School senior, has a paying job.

She estimated that about half her fellow students who work are employed at fast food restaurants. Ricker works about 20 hours a week as a lifeguard at the YMCA.

She also enjoys spending time with friends, rather than sitting at home and watching TV.

"(Working) feels like I'm making something of myself," said Ricker. She is saving for college.

Scouting keeps many teenagers in the county busy.

Peggy Becerra, manager of the eastern region of the Girl Scouts, said there are 20 troops, with 126 active Girl Scouts in Highlands County.

"We try to keep them active in the community, to engage the community and make it a better place to live," said Becerra. "We build girls with character."

A major success story is the sudden popularity of the budding recreation program in Avon Park.

Michelle Cuencas, coordinator with the parks and recreation department, took the reins over at the rec department in August 2007, and helped build the youth sports program from the ground floor up.

Basketball, volley ball, soccer, and tennis attract hundreds of kids of all ages.

Cuencas said it's tougher to attract teens. A new basketball league for middle school and high school players who don't play for the school teams is just one way to attract teenagers.

The department operates from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturdays.

"We bring community and family together, and promote good character and good sportsmanship," said Cuencas. "Hopefully kids will pick up good values and tools for later in life."

The coordinator said the youth athletes are blessed with excellent support from parents and community volunteers.

On a recent afternoon, when schools released students a couple hours early, the rec department hosted 200 youths.

"If they didn't have this place, I don't know where they would go," she said.

The YMCA also tailors several programs to teens and the new fitness center is open to those 13 years old and older.

A weekly fitness program gives teenagers a rigorous workout, said Mike Martino, executive director at the YMCA.

"We're trying to get them off the TV and games and trying to get them exercising," said Martino. "We give kids a chance to get off the couch, from in front of the TV and into a safe environment.

"We teach proper techniques for exercising and lifetime leisure activities."

Mike Altman is 19 and works out at the Y in the fitness center four or five times a week, for an hour to an hour and a half at a time. He also hunts and fishes.

"I like being outside and don't stay inside too much," said Altman, with a smile. "I don't like sitting around the house and I like getting in shape. That's how I get the chicks."

Thirteen-year-old Sadie Birdwell is home schooled. She was running on a machine in the fitness center at the Y and is learning to play the guitar.

"Good priorities are a goal," said Birdwell. "When you're finished with something, it's a good feeling."

Keith Lockett, president of DC Off Road R/C Park and Club, said the raceway, located about a mile east of Avon Park, attracts more visitors from elsewhere than local kids.

Lockett said the hobby is not as expensive as many would imagine. The most popular class of remote-controlled race car may be purchased for $260 and is fully upgradable.

"I've not met anybody who hasn't wanted to race something in their life," he said. "This is a way to race something and not get hurt.

"With this hobby, you can make $100,000 a year, just to drive these toys around and travel all over the world."

Not far from the R/C car park is a BMX track that attracts bike riders from all over.

Sandy Stewart spends a lot of time traveling to and from BMX tracks with her son, Justin, 12, and daughter, Brandy, 5.

Stewart talked about why she and her husband encourage both children to race BMX bikes.

"We're a strong Christian-based family - and family centered," said Stewart. "Anything you do, you do the best you can.

"You're going to fall. Get up. Everything in life has a purpose."

Justin works hard to stay upright during heated competition.

"It's a lot more fun than people think," said Justin. "And a lot more challenging than riding around the neighborhood."

Regardless of whether it's called mudding, mud holing or mud slinging, dozens of county teenagers are driving four-wheelers, buggies and trucks through muddy water.

Dave Henry organizes mudding events for teens.

"It's man and machine against the environment," said Henry. "It's good, clean, dirty fun."

Zach Foster, a 17-year-old golfer would rather hunt or fish than watch television.

He enjoys using learning and using new hunting techniques on the chase to kill mature deer, ducks and hogs.

"You have to use your head," said the 17-year-old about how he has killed about 10 deer for the venison.

He mostly fishes in salt water.

"It's more relaxing on water," he said. "When you're catching a lot, it's an adrenaline rush."

Foster spoke for many of his active and happy contemporaries growing up in rural Highlands County.

"I'm not a city person," he said. "Some people like big malls, but I went to New York City this past summer and hated it. There were too many people."

A partial list of opportunities available for Highlands County teens:

•CRX bikers and those interested in the YMCA - call the YMCA at, 863-382-9622

•R/C car drivers - call Keith Lockett of DC Off Road R/C Park and Club at, 863-381-4356.

•Avon Park, Parks and Recreation Department, 863-452-4414.

•Highlands Little Theatre to audition for a play or help with crew duties, 863-385-2175.

•Girl Scouts - Peggy Becerra, call 941-921-5358.

•Mud Bogging - Dave Hendry organizes mudding events, with no alcohol. Call 863-381-2769.

•Terror Walk - to volunteer, call for next year's event. 863-214-6508

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