Can the lives of teens really be changed by just one event in an atmosphere like the Silver Ring Thing? While we would like to have more time to influence the youth in our community, the results of this event are promising and prove that even high-energy, fast-paced messages can leave a lasting imprint. At last count, 156 commitment rings were purchased by youth. This means that 156 students pledged sexual abstinence until marriage. If each of these were to influence just one life of a friend and those lives would do the same, the result would be enormous! Students were encouraged to purchase their own rings re-enforcing their decision and giving them a sense of ownership for their actions.

Even more important than choosing abstinence (is there such a thing?) is the choice to accept Jesus Christ as one’s personal Lord and Savior. 56 youth either committed their lives or re-dedicated their lives to Christ. The Hannah Medical Center takes no credit for these results. We simply asked God to enable us to bring SRT here and because of His grace and the many who helped underwrite this event, lives were changed. God not only provided- He showed up in a mighty way!

We are thankful for each of you who participated on October 27th. Whether you gave your time and/or money, you are appreciated and we pray that God blesses you greatly in 2008. If you enjoyed this event as much as we did, or you were unable to attend, we are planning on bringing the Silver Ring Thing back in 2009! We’re expecting a much larger crowd next time and need your prayers. Be looking for details in the future.

Jennifer Bryan

Dear Company;

I would encourage you to stop advertising women as sexual objects who need men. The shows need to show strong independent women who are confident in themselves and don’t need male attention for reassurance. There also needs to be more male characters who show respect and value women. Whether you believe it or not, teens are influenced by what you show them. So set positive examples and teens will follow. We are not ignorant. We know what’s going on and we want it to stop. I want to watch a television program and walk away having learned a positive message. We are the future of this country, so do you want us to be drug addicts or in prison or unwed mothers or have low self-esteem because we’re influenced by what you show us? Think about it. It’s a team effort. You show us the right things and we’ll do the right thing.

By: Summer B., Bearden High School, Arkansas

Dear Company;

There are a lot of things I find wrong with what you (advertising companies) are advertising. There are millions of kids, teenagers, and adults who are influenced by the things you advertise every day. I know you’re making money but do you really want your children and other kids growing up in an environment where sex, drugs, and violence are the only things talked about? I really think you should consider creating a more positive and clean media for younger people. A benefit will come of it. As a teenager I am very concerned because I know there are a lot of things I have seen and heard that have an impact on my actions. I wish you would just consider what I am asking of you.

By: Cynthia C., Bearden High School, Arkansas

Dear Company;

Many teens are attracted to the media on television, such as MTV and even though they watch it all the time, there are some changes that should be made.

When I’m at home watching T.V., I usually look for shows that are funny so I sometimes find them on MTV. Usually, the shows start out okay, but they all seem to turn the same way. I hardly ever see a descent sized girl on a show and if I do, they’re usually portrayed as a “loser” or an outcast and it makes many girls think that no guy will like them if they aren’t super skinny, which is not true. This also sends a message to guys that they should find a girl like that and if a girl isn’t “perfect” enough, then they won’t be cool if they like her. Many teens become self-conscious and depressed over these things.

Another change should be less bad language. When I watch T.V., I sometimes let a few bad words slide, but when it’s just 30 minutes of profanity, I tend to not even see what’s so funny about it and why I would even want to watch it. I also feel bad if my parents see me watching it because I don’t want them to think that that is how I am or how I’m going to be. I want them to trust me and know they actually raised me well.

By: Erin L., Bearden High School, Arkansas

(870)862-1317

Internationally Acclaimed Sexual Abstinence Program Comes to El Dorado!

El Dorado, Arkansas, August 13, 2007-The Hannah Medical Center is proud to announce an upcoming event for Union County! The Silver Ring Thing (SRT) is a high-tech, high-energy performance that educates teens about the benefits of remaining abstinent until marriage and the dangers of promiscuous behavior. On Saturday, October 27, 2007, The Hannah Medical Center will be sponsoring The Silver Ring thing in El Dorado, AR for an event at The Municipal Auditorium from 6:30-9 p.m. With an outrageously funny approach, dramas, videos, special effects, and speakers, teenagers will be motivated in a unique and personal way to choose to commit to remain abstinent until marriage.

The Silver Ring Thing is the fastest growing abstinence program in the United States and is rapidly gaining international recognition for its relevant and effective abstinence message. Over tens of thousands of teens have joined this movement and are wearing rings all over the United States, Southern Africa, and the United Kingdom, and Silver Ring Thing is coming to El Dorado for the very first time! The Silver Ring Thing presentation appeals to the youth of today, inspiring them with the message that they are “worth waiting for.” Through messages of forgiveness and new beginnings, the program also reaches out to teens who have already become sexually active and offers an opportunity to “start over.”

The Silver Ring Thing’s mission is to motivate, educate, support, and transform generations of people to embrace a lifestyle of sexual abstinence. With high-tech shows and SRT 434 programs, the Silver Ring Thing aims to have abstinence become the worldwide norm, rather than the exception, in the 21st century. Parents are invited to attend and a pre-conference meeting will take place just for them. Teens are encouraged to Pre-Register online at http://www.silverringthing.com/.

For more information please contact The Hannah Medical Center at 870-862-1317 and ask for Jennifer Bryan. We hope to see you there!

Dr. Laura Schlessinger is the top female radio personality in America. A licensed marriage, family and child counselor, Dr. Laura’s internationally syndicated radio show airs on over 450 stations in the U.S. and is heard by 18 million listeners each week.

Take Dr. Laura’s Is It Love Test

1______Can you say there’s no jealousy in your relationship?

2______Is your relationship free of drug and alcohol abuse?

3______Can you say you’re never asked to compromise your moral values?

4______Do you appreciate and enjoy each other’s family and friends?

5______Have you discussed your long-term goals for faith, family and career in detail?

6______Do you have complete confidence in each other?

7______Has experience shown him/her to always be truthful and open with you?

8______Does he/she always follow through on promises and commitments?

9______Do you talk openly and easily with each other about everything? (Including this test?)

10_____Do you both listen carefully to one another and try to understand each other’s point of view?

11_____Do you practice the same faith by praying and going to church together regularly?

12_____Do you both agree that marriage is forever?

13_____Do you refrain from using manipulation or blackmail to get your own way?

14_____Do you like spending time together doing different activities? (Not just watching TV, mall shopping or talking on the phone together. I recommend volunteering for church, charity and civic projects- or joining clubs at school, bands, debate teams or sports programs.)

15_____When you have a disagreement or the going gets tough, do both of you respond respectfully with patience and understanding?

16_____Have your family and friends told you they approve of your relationship- that they feel it’s making you a better person?

17_____Do you limit your physical relationship to holding hands and simple kisses?

18_____Have you seen each other during good times and bad? (Virtues shine during adversity. Never rush to marriage- you’ll miss critical signs of good or bad character traits.)

19_____Do you both stay away from pornographic magazines, videos, Internet, etc.?

20_____If your future spouse had a serious accident that maimed or disfigured him/her for life, would your love remain strong? Could your love survive without physical expression?

21_____Do each of you dress, speak and act modestly?

22_____Can you admit your own shortcomings and discuss them openly?

23_____Are you both generous in making sacrifices for others?

24_____Does your sweetheart already have the qualities needed to be a super spouse and a wonderful parent for your children?

25_____Are you willing to give up power and let your loved one control some of the important decisions and circumstances? (True love means frequently surrendering your will to meet your loved one’s needs and wishes without violating your moral values.)

Dr. Laura’s “Is It Love?” Test Results

SCORING: Give yourself one point for each “yes” answer.

22-25 pts. “Solid as a Rock!”… It’s True Love! Congrats on a very strong relationship.

19-21 pts. “Looking Good!”… Your relationship has good potential. With a little work, you can become “Solid as a Rock.”

15-18 pts. “”Warning Signals!”… It might be “infatuation.” Work on the “No’s.” Take the test again in six months and again in 12 months. Hopefully your scores will improve and your relationship will grow. If you relationship doesn’t greatly improve within a year, you should consider ending it.

Below 15 pts. “Red Alert!”… Sorry, this may be painful to hear, but it’s probably time to say “goodbye.” It’s either blind infatuation or there are other serious problems. (If you’re married and you scored below 15 points, don’t give up- get some good marriage counseling ASAP.)

BONUS POINTS- If you are both committed to saving sex for marriage, add TWO points to your score!

1. Worrying You’re Pregnant
2. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
3. Regretting Your Past
4. Guilty Feelings
5. Losing Your Self-Respect
6. Corrupting Your Character
7. Losing Trust and Fearing Commitment
8. Depression and Thoughts of Suicide
9. Ruining A Good Relationship

The recent media attention given to HPV is due to the FDA’s approval of Gardasil, a vaccine to protect against four types of the virus that cause most, but not all, cases of cervical cancer and genital warts. According to the CDC, “The surest way to eliminate the risk for future genital HPV infection is to refrain from any genital contact with another individual.”

Whether you are making a decision to get the vaccine yourself, or if you are simply trying to keep up with the latest medical advances, it is important to know the facts about HPV and Gardasil.

• Certain HPV infections cause 90 percent of all cervical cancer cases.
• Gardasil protects against the 4 main strains that cause cervical cancer; however, some other HPV viruses may still cause cervical cancer.
• There is no cure for HPV, but, in most cases, the body fights off the infection. However, in about 10% of women the virus causes problems including genital warts, cervical cell changes and cancers of the cervix, vulva, and vagina.
• Gardasil is not a cure for those who have the virus, and it has not been approved for men.
• Approximately 70% of new cases of HPV are found in 15-24 year old females.
• There is no research to show that HPV can be prevented by the use of condoms.
• There is no test for men to see if they are carriers of HPV.

Unlike some STDs, HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact; therefore, sexual intercourse is not necessary to spread the virus. Protection against the main viruses that cause cervical cancer does not create a safety net for those choosing to have sex outside of marriage. It is important to remember that Gardasil protects against only the 4 main types of the HPV virus, and there are many other forms of the virus (and as many as 25 other sexually transmitted diseases and infections). The only 100% way to protect yourself from getting HPV and other STDs is to abstain from all forms of sexual activity until marriage.

First of all, boys don’t “have” to have sex. Some may want sex, and if all they do is look at it, think about it and desire it, then they will experience the physical symptoms of being aroused. This may cause some discomfort on their part but NEVER is that your responsibility.

The technical definition for this (and it’s probably way more than you want to know!) is Vasocongestion. To put it simply, the penis fills with blood, which is how erection occurs in the male.

The healthiest way for an unmarried person to find relief from this pressure is to simply let the arousal fade out with rest or other nonsexual activity like running, walking or other sports.

However, a guy should never try to force a girl to have sex with him merely to “satisfy” him physically.  If a guy does try to pressure you to do this, that’s a good sign you might not want to be with him.