Teens Choose Respect

An estimated 200 teens took part in Gov. Sean Parnell’s Choose Respect marches in the Mat-Su Valley March 29.

In Wasilla, 50 students from Fire Dance Academy, and Wasilla middle and high schools took part in the domestic violence awareness march.

In Palmer, about 150 students from Pathways, Fire Dance Academy, Alaska Job Corps Center and Palmer Junior Middle School were loud and proud as they gathered with local professionals at the MTA Ice Rink to take part in the march.

The annual Choose Respect march is part of the governor’s Choose Respect campaign. Focused in the month of March, Choose Respect brings focus to Alaska’s epidemic rate of domestic violence — two and a half times the national average — as part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The march is an effort to highlight the issue of domestic violence and the message to “choose respect,” making the presence of the issue more known in communities.

“We march to create a safe and loving place for children, a place where drugs and alcohol do not introduce violence to our homes, and to shine a light on the issue of domestic violence,” Palmer mayor DeLena Johnson said at the rally. “It’s about communities and putting people first, … It takes courage to make a change, courage to stand and speak up. Your being here today sends a resounding message to say that the violence needs to end.”

With the help of students in Wasilla and Palmer, it was remarked at both events that Thursday’s marches were the largest since starting in 2008. While slight in age or size, the students brought a new, big personality to the marches that helped deliver the message loud and clear that domestic violence is intolerable.

Chris Birotte, a student from Job Corps, took the stage after the guest speakers in Palmer and performed verses he’d written, inspired by Choose Respect’s message, chanting “Choose Respect, do not neglect.”

Students’ power in energy and numbers did not go unnoticed at the event in Wasilla or Palmer.

Department of Corrections Commissioner Joe Schmidt recognized Palmer students in attendance.

“It’s great to see so many adolescents interested in speaking up,” he said. “This is encouraging because our young people are often the biggest victims of all — affected by the violence and exposed to problems like domestic violence and sexual assault. … If we support and encourage our young people to speak up and say something we can take a big step to making a difference.”

Students are welcome to join the marches in the following years, not only for their energy and perspective, but their value in voice as well.

Young people are a key piece of the puzzle if Alaska is to end its epidemic of violence, said Fire Dance Academy Director Catherine Whaley.

“This is not a problem that’s going to be solved by the Legislature alone. It’s going to be coming from a ground level, young people especially,” she said. “If we can teach them from their youngest age and on that they’re worth the time and work, they can find value in their voice and speak up.”

Dylan Gette-King is a senior at Palmer High School.