11/20/08

M-PHS teen speaks out on issue of teen suicide

by Carmell Emory

Kaydra Kerr, a sophomore at Marysville-Pilchuck High School, realized many teens were in trouble when two of her friends tried to end their lives last year.

Suicide is a major problem among teens, and Kaydra knew she had to take a stand to make more people aware of the troubling issue. Her first step was to build a Wikipedia site where teens, concerned family members, and friends could go to get information about the problem.

The Suicide Awareness page offers assistance to the northwest community in a number of ways. Features include current statistics on teen suicide in Washington, a help guide, warning signs, and the importance of intervention. There is also a more personal discussion section where teens, family members and friends can privately write to Kaydra with questions or concerns.

"This is a huge issue that people are overlooking and I want to help educate them," said Kaydra.

The Marysville teen is planning to spread her message to a larger audience through school assemblies and presentations at local youth groups. She hopes to encourage local teens to share their experience during her presentations.

In addition to her suicide awareness mission, Kaydra enjoys her involvement in the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC). She joined the ranks for P.E. credit and soon realized that she valued being a part of the group.

"I absolutely love the class. I love marching and going through drills. I am learning so many things about the military that I wouldn't have known if I hadn't taken this class."

In fact, she enjoys NJROTC so much that she is planning to join the Navy after graduation, and hopefully earn a scholarship from the program.

Along with all of these wonderful goals, Kaydra is planning to audition for the next drama production at MPHS, "The Wedding Singer." She's also trying out for cheerleading, and testing the waters-literally--of the swim and dive teams.

If there is one message Kaydra wants people to know, it's this: "Every week in Washington there are about two deaths among teens due to suicide. This is a major issue and I hope it gets people's attention."

For more information about teen suicide and to communicate with Kaydra about this issue, visit her site at http://suicide-awareness.wikispaces.com/.