Students say peer pressure leads to poor choices.
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LAKE LINDEN -- A former NCAA All-Star athlete visited Copper Country schools on Tuesday to talk with teens about abstinence, bullying, and respect.
Jarrod Jones, who played basketball at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, says cultural shifts happen through young adults. Helping them develop values today can save them baggage down the road.
"One bad choice can put you on a pattern of wrong behavior; risk behavior that can cost you for a lifetime," Jones said.
Once awarded the "All-Star Athlete Award" by CBS Sportscaster, Jim Nance, Jones shared his life story with students. They say his positive choices encouraged them.
"It wasn't boring," said Elyssa Harris, a junior at Lake Linden High School. "It kept everyone laughing. He said a lot of funny things that were nice to hear."
Jones encouraged students to be role models, like someone once did for him. He says it can be life-changing for teens. It can lead to rethinking their values, like in the area of abstinence.
"I see students want to be challenged for something bigger than themselves," Jones said. "They really want to be called to a bigger mission."
Several students say there is pressure to have sex, drink, and do drugs. They say the pressures vary, depending on the groups or friends they hang out with.
"I think there's a lot of people that want to wait," said Autumn Foster, a senior at Lake Linden High School. "But right now they're pressured into having to do it, so people will like them better."
Besides Lake Linden, Jones visited Hancock and Chassell schools on Tuesday. Calumet and L'Anse schools are on Wednesday's schedule, as well as a nighttime event at Houghton High School. The event is free and starts in the auditorium on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
