‘Human Trafficking’ seminar to be held March 19
Special to The Monitor
ATHENS–Human trafficking isn’t something you hear about very often in Henderson County.
Kara Silvey and MaKenzie Fitzgerald are working to change that.
“It is a lot more predominant than people perceive,” Silvey said.
“When you hear human trafficking, you automatically think Asia, Africa, Third World countries. It is actually happening all around,” she said.
The two high school juniors – Silvey from Athens and Fitzgerald from Blooming Grove – are bringing “Priceless,” a fundraiser for Children of the Night and human trafficking awareness program to Athens this Saturday, March 19.
The event will be from 1-5 p.m. at the Cain Center and will include guest speaker Chong Kim, a human-trafficking survivor.
The two girls met last year at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) World Leadership Congress at the University of California, Los Angeles, where they participated in a week of panels, workshops, training exercises and focus groups.
They also became close friends, and when they searched for an idea for a fundraiser, human trafficking seemed a natural for them.
“Although we certainly can’t end human trafficking, I feel a certain responsibility to do what I can to end it,” Silvey said.
“These are children who, at the time when they should be getting scraped knees, are getting beaten and sexually abused every day. The are forced to be on drugs. They are being put through things – most of us will never experience – every single day,” Fitzgerald added.
Children of the Night is a non-profit group dedicated to rescuing children from 11 to 17 who are forced into prostitution.
According to figures released by the group, between 500,000 and 1 million children run away from home each year.
“It is safe to estimate that about one-third of those children have some type of involvement or brush with prostitution and/or pornography,” according to Childrenofthenight.org.
Children of the Night provides a 24-hour hotline and works with local law enforcement to save the abused children from their captors.
“If they can make it to a phone, then Children of the Night can make it to them,” Fitzgerald said.
Saturday’s guest speaker, Chong Kim, knows all about making it out. She was once kidnapped and forced into prostitution.
“She was a guest speaker in the human rights seminar (at HOBY) where she shared her story with us about what she went through,” Fitzgerald said.
Silvey and Fitzgerald are hoping “Priceless” will raise awareness about the human-trafficking problem.
“Because so many people hear ‘human trafficking’ and they don’t even know what it is,” Fitzgerald said.
“It’s not that people don’t want to help or don’t care, it’s that they just don’t know,” Silvey added.

 

Kemp band advances to state UIL contest
Special to The Monitor
KEMP–Sixteen Kemp High School Band students will be advancing to state-level competitions in May, following a Feb. 26 contest at Mesquite High School.
Forty band members competed at the UIL Solo and Ensemble.
“They represented Kemp High School in an incredible way,” band director Jimmy Polk said.
The students advancing to the State UIL Solo and Ensemble contest in May are Tyler Swanner, Drake Barnica, Leila Gower, Silas Shumway, Harley Hudspeth, Toni Old and Christine Day, all percussion students; Jered Hulick, tuba; Austin Goswick and Samantha Clark, both on trombone; Caleb Murray, french horn; Austin Taylor, baritone; Garrett Haley, Ben Dillon and Juan Montoya, who all play trumpet.
Also receiving a first division on a class two solo or ensemble were: Taylor Hennig, Nikki Fisher and Brittney Johnson.
“Kemp Independent School District is proud of all the band members who competed. They are a truly talented group,” superintendent Dr. Peter Running noted. “Congratulations on your well-earned recognition.”
 

Spring dog training classes set
Special to The Monitor
GUN BARREL CITY– According to veteran dog trainer and behavior consultant, Joan Guertin, dogs don’t train themselves!
They know how to be dogs. It is the human members of the family that are responsible for teaching dogs how to be good family pets.
Spring dog training classes are scheduled to begin Saturday, March 19 at the Pets Palace in Gun Barrel City.
Puppies from 10 weeks of age with at least two of their required puppy shots will be registered at 9 a.m.
With training for dogs, five months and older, current on their shots, scheduled to begin at 10:30 am.
Part of the fee for the five-week session is donated to Friends of The Animals to help its low-cost spay/neuter programs.
The sessions will include age-appropriate basic obedience, problem solving and management of behavior issues. All family members are invited to attend.
The classes are based on solid principals grounded in gentle, positive, motivational training techniques.
The student will learn to work quietly with their dogs, teaching them how to behave without force.
“These basically are the tools of the Horse Whisperer,” explains Guertin, who has been a trainer for purebred dogs for more than 50 years.
“Dogs are much like children. They can function in human society when they are aware of the boundaries and if they have been taught self discipline. Being a pack-oriented animal, dogs are looking for clearly defined leadership. That is what I teach through my Common Sense Dog Training,” Guertin explains.
For additional information and pre-registration, contact Guertin at (903) 887 3803 or (903) 340 7087, or The Pets Palace, (903) 887 0044.

 

Come Adopt Us At The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake

We have many animals at the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake in Seven Points in dire need of a good home. Please call or stop by the Humane Society today and rescue one of these forgotten animals. The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake is located on 10220 County Road 2403 in Seven Points. For more information, please call (903) 432-3422 after 11 a.m. We are closed on Wednesday and Sunday.

For further information visit our website at petfinder.com