May/June • 2021 • GASPARILLA MAGAZINE A
• PROVIDE A SENSE OF
NORMALCY WHENEVER
POSSIBLE
Whenever possible, teenagers need to see
their friends. Kids need time to be kids again
without thinking about all the worries going
on in the world.
This is also a good time to build healthy
habits, like spending time with friends
outside, getting to sleep at a reasonable
hour, meditating and listening to music to
calm nerves.
“When I can’t see my friends, I feel like the
world is caving in,” said Sophia.
• SEEK PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
If your child mentions suicide, take those
words seriously and take action immediately.
Seeking help from a professional therapist
may also be necessary for teens whose
anxiety is serious and affects their daily life. If
your teen is hesitant to talk to a professional
The recent production “She Loves Me”
was a huge success, even for a pandemic
production. It’s clear from the camaraderie
and feedback from the students that they are
supportive of each other and just plain happy
to be on stage.
“I love the story, it’s really cute and
wholesome and great for Valentine’s Day,”
said Lauren.
“And we have some great choreography
by our great student choreographer,” added
Sarah, directing that comment to Lauren,
who served as the student choreographer for
the production. “I think it was a really fun and
dynamic show for the cast and it was different
from the stuff that we’ve done before.”
“The biggest change we have seen is that
students are just so happy to be in school
and able to perform. There is not much live
theater being performed nation-wide, so we
are very blessed to have an administration
that supports the arts as much as athletics,”
said Ballard-Richardson.
“I think that we at Lemon Bay are in a
very unique situation,” said Watkins-Yates.
“Englewood seems to be a small selfcontained
bubble where this pandemic has
minimally affected us. I am not in disbelief
or claim that we are immune just that we
are minimally affected. The protection of
our students and faculty is our number one
concern. All of the steps taken help to ensure
that we have had minimal exposure to the
virus and that our students remain as safe as
possible. We truly wouldn’t be in the position
we are now if our faculty were not the best.
Because we have such a safe record, we are
fortunate to be allowed to have performing
arts events. Sure, we have had to modify
these events some, but we are all so happy
that they are still allowed to continue. Giving
our students a safe place to release their
artistic energy is a beautiful thing and we do
not take it for granted for a moment.”
“The performing arts means so much
to me,” continued Lauren. “I’ve been
performing all my life and it’s something
that has impacted me greatly. I’ve met some
amazing people through theater who I can
see staying my forever friends. It’s been
different, but we all have each other to build
up and rely on. I know that no matter what, I’ll
have my friends by my side.”
For information on teen suicide and
mental health, contact a crisis hotline at
1-800-273-TALK
or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
If experiencing severe symptoms of
depression, seek help from a mental health
professional immediately or from the
nearest hospital.
* All students’ last names have been omitted for
privacy issues.
/suicidepreventionlifeline.org
