By COURTNEY KINCADE
THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
Every day, most of us head to the sink for water to brush our teeth and to the shower to clean off. Those are luxuries, however, that not everyone has.
In some Third World countries, including Ethiopia, the lack of clean water is a huge issue, and it’s caught the attention of some local teens.
Students in Junior State of America at Springfield High School have designated Ethiopia’s lack of water sanitation as the issue the political-awareness group helps address this year. Instead of helping a variety of small charities or causes this year, the JSA teens have a yearlong goal to help build new wells in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is a very poor country in Africa that does not have full access to clean water. Most people must gather water from local streams and rivers, which poses many health dangers.
“We’re trying to do something big because we are so blessed,” said Summer Jensen, a senior at SHS and member of JSA. “And the water issue in Ethiopia affects kids our age too, so we want to help.”
JSA members hosted an awareness week Oct. 20-24 to start the process of reaching their $10,000 goal. Activities included JSA members talking to students at lunch and in classes about their “Just Add Water” campaign. They also painted a variety of signs for drivers to see as they passed the school and hung posters throughout the building.
The group held a benefit concert on Oct. 26 that featured local bands at Douglas Park. JSA charged $7 for admission and also sold hot chocolate and pizza to help raise money. Members also have been and still are selling T-shirts with the “Just Add Water” logo on them for $10.
Though the weather was quite cool during the benefit concert, the event still had a decent turnout.
“It’s a lot of fun and an awesome thing to do, and I think it’s amazing to show that we do care,” said SHS senior Matthew Brewer.
The concert featured Blake and Lawrence, Morgan Williams, Gingerbread Throwdown, Brandon Carnes, Clearly Confused and SHS teacher and performer A.D. Carson.
Throughout the night, attendees could watch a documentary about the water issue in Ethiopia.
The club also invited the Pizza Machine to come and sell pizza in order to make it a more community-wide event. While at the event, the Pizza Machine offered a 40-inch-pizza-eating contest.
People in the audience, wearing coats and wrapped in blankets, appeared to enjoy themselves. Throughout the event, teens talked about their excitement to be part of something that will have such an important effect.
“People look down on high-schoolers because they think that we’re immature and we can’t do anything of use,” Matthew said, “but this shows them that we actually care and we’re not the typical teenager.”
Many people said they were excited to see the students’ dedication to the cause, including JSA president Alicia Pettys.
“Tonight is a hard night (because of the weather),” she said at the event, “but the kids are really dedicated and want to make a difference.”
Though the group’s $10,000 goal seems lofty to some, SHS English teacher Lydia Negele said she believes JSA can make it.
“They’re the hardest-working group ever and they will meet their goal,” she said.
Alicia agreed.
“I have full confidence that no matter what events we do, we’ll meet our goals because of the students’ dedication.”
(Courtney Kincade is a senior at Glenwood High School.)