Learning about the Spirit of Teen Leadership

This post is written by Maalika Banjeree.

Sexual Health Program Assistant at Chicago Public Schools - Office of Student Health & Wellness

In an auditorium festooned with red and white balloons, 18 students took a collective breath backstage. They grouped into a huddle, grasping each others' shoulders, while whispering words of encouragement. They peeked out, into the audience. Close to 100 of their peers jostled noisily in their seats, chattering amongst themselves, waiting in anticipation. Soon enough, the first notes of a tenor voice floated forward, filling the room:

"What would I do without your smart mouth? Drawing me in, and you kicking me out. You've got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down..."

Audience members whipped their heads around, to face the back of the auditorium. A male student, with a crooning voice walked down the aisle, singing John Legend's'All of Me." As his voice built up, rising in emotional intensity, the audience watched in rapture, finally silenced. Their eyes followed him toward the front of the stage, as he disappeared into the wings.

The curtains opened, and the story began. For 40 minutes, the 18 students worked together to put on a production about a high school couple, who discovers lessons about love and loss, while grappling with decisions around safe sex and getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. These students were part of a self-selected group dedicated to planning a yearlong Get Yourself Tested (GYT) campaign to promote awareness of STIs and testing amongst their peers. 

In the weeks preceding the performance, in my role as a Chicago Health Corps member, I met with the group at 8:55am every morning at their school, Manley Career Academy High School on the West Side of Chicago. I provided guidance and sexual health content knowledge during the creative process, while supporting their lead teacher in the classroom. On the day of the event, I beamed from the wings, as they delivered a performance marked by courage and candor. While equipping them with sexual and reproductive health information, I hoped to create a sense of empowerment and confidence, which I witnessed in their glowing, genuine performance. But ultimately, I had learned to follow their lead, and not the other way around.

Indeed, these students took a brave leap, creating an entire play that was completely youth-written and -directed, something both entertaining and informative. I know I never would have had the guts to get up on stage to talk about safe sex and STIs as a high schooler. And it is with immense excitement that I continue to build relationships with these hilarious and self-motivated students at Manley. They never cease to astound me with their initiative and energy, even when creating dialogue around sensitive issues. It is through my time with them that I've learned about the spirit of a truly youth-led initiative.