MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Innovation and Improvement Office teamed up with Club Beyond July 19 to help make a positive difference in the lives of 21 teenagers here by hosting the highly-regarded 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens workshop.
The workshop gives teens the tools to improve their lives by applying a set of seven habits to their behavior.
"The program has really changed my life," said Lisa Garber, Matthew C. Perry High School sophomore and workshop volunteer. "I now realize that anything is possible, and that teens can be as successful as we allow ourselves to be."
According to Scott Elkins, workshop instructor, the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens program gives teenagers a road map of how to set and reach goals.
"It doesn't matter what your situation is," said Elkins, "because successful people set out to give their best. That effort is what changes things."
D.J. Duarte, workshop instructor, said he couldn't agree more.
"You've got to strive to be somebody special in this world," said Duarte. "It doesn't just happen. The workshop teaches that teens have to have a plan and then act upon that plan by doing the right things for the right reasons."
The next workshop is scheduled for Aug. 5-6 from noon until 4:30 p.m. in the Innovation and Improvement training classroom in Building 497. Interested teenagers, or parents who would like to sign up their teens, should call 253-4719.
According to Lauren Lewis, M.C. Perry High senior and workshop participant, parents should take the initiative to sign up even reluctant teens.
"My mom signed me up, and at first I didn't really want to go," said Lewis. "But now that I've been through the workshop I am so glad that she did. I know I can be anything that I want to be with the right attitude."