DIANE FOWLER

Charter School's Zach Zelner, center, volunteered to be in a skit with Silver Ring Thing cast members when the program, promoting abstinence and making wise decisions, came to Marco Island.

DIANE FOWLER

Charter School's Zach Zelner, left and Veronica Castillo participate in a skit with a Silver Ring Thing cast member.

DIANE FOWLER

Marco Island teens sporting their new silver rings are, front row from left, Claire Orgass, Paige Shadrick, Katelyn Rozankowski and Nicole Messina. Back row, Jordan Burnett, Elijah Henderson and Farrah Waldren.

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More than 230 teenagers, along with parents, bought into the Silver Ring Thing (SRT) live event, promoting teen-age abstinence at the Marco Island Charter Middle School on Thursday.

The First Baptist Church of Marco Island sponsored the event. The gymnasium rocked with contemporary music and laser lights, in the overall teen-focused show.

“Amazing! Cool! Awesome! Loved it! When are you coming back?,” were the overwhelming responses.

Silver rings are inscribed with THES 4:3-4, which refers to a bible passage from Thessalonians. It could only be purchased after the program was complete. The THES 4:3-4 passage is printed in the abstinence study bible the teens receive with the ring.

The wearing of the ring signifies a commitment to abstinence. The ring is presented by the spouse, or both, to their loved one, representing their faithful commitment to marriage.

Island resident Heather Hassell organized the event.

“I attended the event last year in North Naples, and recently learned that they (SRT) were coming to Fort Myers,” Hassell said. “I contacted Silver Ring Thing to see if they would be willing to come to Marco. I was impressed with the message and the way it was presented to the kids. I felt it was something that would benefit the local teens.”

Hassell felt she needed to spread the word.

“With only a few weeks to go, I got busy,” Hassell said. “I received several thousand postcards, which I passed out at the fair, to local churches, and to anyone who was interested.”

In 1995, Denny and Amy Pattyn founded the group in Yuma, Arizona, in response to the growing number of teen pregnancies there.

Now headquartered near Pittsburgh, Pa., the group tours nine months of the year, making stops in 35 cities. Regional groups stage live events around the country. There are also groups in the United Kingdom and South Africa.

Event leader for the Marco Island show was Jeff Sitera, who also led a parent session, which provided parents with information about their role in their children’s abstinence decision and how to support them.

The parent session lasted about 40 minutes, then the parents joined the teens in the gym.

“This event was wonderful,” said grandparent Marge Weis. “They got straight to the point. The joy, peace, and contentment that teens are looking for comes from Jesus. The kids really like this. They don’t want old people stuff. They don’t want to walk out of here feeling like they just attended a funeral.”

Lely High School student Anitrah Horrocks, 15, shares the sentiment.

“It’s not a boring seminar,” Horrocks said. “I bought my ring a year ago when I went to the event in Fort Myers. This one was more fun. I liked the interaction.”

One of the skits included an eighth grade Charter School student Zach Zelner and Veronica Castillo, a Lely ninth grader, both from Marco.

“I raised my hand when they asked for volunteers, and they picked me,” Castillo said. “I was a little nervous, but it was fun. I went to the event last year in Naples, and it was amazing. I wanted to experience it again. The SRT is not just about abstinence, it’s also about responsibility, teenagers not giving into temptations, and having God in your life.”

Of the 230 teenagers who attended the event, many were middle school students, including Marian Kindred, 12, a Charter School student.

“This is my first time attending the event,” she said. “I thought it was really interesting. I bought the book.”

The Wesley United Methodist Church Youth Group had about 15 teenagers attending the event, under the direction of leaders Bo and Julie Booth.

“I think everything went very well,” Julie Booth said. “The kids all got something out of it, something to take home. We plan to follow up with discussion at our youth group meetings.”

One of the Wesley Youth Group members, Arianna Sweeney, 13, a Charter School seventh grader, enjoyed her experience.

“I learned a lot, and it was fun, and funny,” she said. “They taught us that consequences of not following a commitment to abstinence, the use of drugs and alcohol, and poor choices in friends, can turn you from a person with good opportunities to a person with a bad reputation.”

Many members of the community helped with the event. Volunteers from several local churches came to lend their support. Joey’s Pizza and Kretch’s Restaurant provided food for the cast and crew.

“I want to extend my thanks to Roger Raymond (athletic director) and George Abounader, principal of MICMS, for allowing us to use the gym,” said Hassell. “And also, thank you to the many volunteers that made this event possible.”

The crew of SRT has packed up and moved on to another city to spread their message, a message that has left a positive impact on many of Marco’s youth.

If interested, more information may be obtained at www.silverringthing.com.