Teenage health consultants begin presentations at middle school

The teenage health consultant program is designed to help K-12 students reach their full potential through discussion and a healthy lifestyle since it began in 1984. Every school year, over 400 hand picked students from Saint Louis County high schools are trained as teenage health consultants. At Ladue, 17 students participate in the organization.

“We all work together to try and help these kids,” York said.

Interested students must have at least a 2.5 GPA, be either a junior or senior, and submit an application near the beginning of each school year. Students also must be able to give at least four mandatory presentations throughout the school year.

“I’m looking for kids who can be leaders,” Ladue Family and Consumer Science teacher and teenage health consultant sponsor Kimberly Boyles said. “The consultants should also not take too many AP classes because that might affect their ability to give presentations.”

According to Stlouisco.com, over 350,000 students have taken part in discussions led by teenage health consultants. By choosing high school students  to discuss controversial issues as opposed to adults, the teenage health consultants hope to better prepare young students to prepare for the challenges they will face in the future, as well as help older students deal with various challenges. #

“They learn better from us,” teenage health consultant and senior Francesca Shannon said. “We can teach them to become more aware.” #