Thursday, May 15, 2008

A month of hard living, in an hour and a quarter

SELINSGROVE – Imagine living from paycheck to paycheck, perhaps stealing or lying to make ends meet, or coming home to find a mortgage company foreclosed on your home. That was the point of an exercise called a Poverty Simulation, and the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency hosted one Wednesday at Susquehanna University.

Executive Director Harry Adrian says it demonstrates how frustrating life can be for families on the margin. Many end up neglecting things that other families take for granted such as nurturing children. Participants were assigned roles in families or as administrators of institutions such as banks, supermarkets and help organizations.

The group of more than 100 was then directed to live, work or go to school experiencing severe economic hardship. The Dad was a professional without a job in one family, with unemployment benefits running out, kids in trouble and Mom working full time. One of their children was suspended from school for cheating, and ended up in juvenile detention, accused of drug possession.

The drill lasted about an hour, and represented a month at or below the poverty level. Most families found themselves facing unpaid bills, utilities shut off and possessions turned over to a simulated pawnshop at the end of the “month.” (Matt Farrand)

Outstanding Young Americans recognized

NORTHUMBERLAND – Over 80 students from eleven area school districts were honored Wednesday night as Outstanding Young Americans. The group is composed of students who excel not only academics, but also extracurricular activities. Senior

Program Analyst at SEDA-COG, Ryan Unger, who is a 1997 Shikellamy graduate and former Young American, was the guest speaker for the evening. He called the students the future of the region and the Central Susquehanna Valley’s best asset. Unger encouraged the students to find something they are passionate about and pursue it.

Northumberland Christian School Senior Naomi Ilgenfritz says it’s an honor to be recognized for the work she’s done throughout the school year. Natalie Sauers is a senior student at Meadowbrook Christian School and says it’s exciting to receive the award, and it’s been a great experience to meet so many other Outstanding Young Americans from different school districts.

The students have been involved in numerous activities throughout the school year, including most recently a leadership seminar in Lewisburg. Each student received a plaque at Wednesday’s ceremony presented by the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, The Daily Item and Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation. (Sara Bartlett)