TEENS EXCITED ABOUT TREK TO WYOMING

Twelve teen-agers from Cape Girardeau and Jackson will be heading for Wyoming early Monday as part of a week-long Ozark-Yellowstone Youth Retreat designed to encourage youths to broaden their horizons.

The youths were chosen as part of the Drug Free Schools Program, in cooperation with the Jackson Future Homemakers of America Chapter and the Cape Civic Center, explained Fred Pennington, a member of the Civic Center board who will be one of four adult leaders on the trip.

"The whole idea of this is to give young people an opportunity to see nature at its best and broaden their horizons," said Pennington. "We hope this will stimulate them to reach out."

Youths were chosen who might not have an opportunity to take such a trip without this program, and who are also good students.

Angela Flannery, 15, and Amy Welker, 18, are both members of the Jackson FHA going on the trip.

They are excited about heading to Wyoming and also the chance to get to know other teens.

Welker said, "We will go to Cheyenne and meet the governor, Mike Sullivan."

Flannery added, "We will visit Devil's Tower and go camping in Yellowstone Park."

While the trip sounds a lot like a tourist's itinerary, organizers hope spending time together will foster new friendships.

Flannery said, "I think we will get to know each other better."

From growing up in inner city St. Louis, Pennington said he benefited from Scouting and other opportunities to travel, seeing what was available in the rest of the world. "It gave you something to work for," said Pennington, who is a cameraman at KFVS-TV.

"What is exciting to us at the Civic Center is the chance to join young people together of different cultures, economic backgrounds and life experiences together for a week," said Pennington. "They will be able to share their lives and gain a greater understanding of each other."

The Jackson FHA and the Cape Civic Center have had a partnership for four years. In the past, the two groups have traveled to St. Louis, had picnics and even teamed up against the Jackson FFA for a volleyball game.

The trip is in association with the Wyoming Lighthouse, Inc. Shawn Grindstaff, a native of Ste. Genevieve and former aide to U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, now lives in Wyoming and is a member of the group's board. He suggested the idea of having a group from Cape Girardeau participate in the tour.

Pennington also praised the support of individuals and businesses who helped the group raise $2,000 for the trip, and State Rep. Mary Kasten who secured the use of a van.

Among the other adults going on the trip will be Ed Slaughter, a member of the Civic Center board, and Cathy Boyd, of the Jackson FHA.

The group will leave at 7 a.m. Monday and will return next Sunday. The trip will include some camping and hiking; a visit to the Tetons, Jackson Hole, and Yellowstone National Park, and other parts of Wyoming.

"We want to make this the first trip and hope to increase the number of kids next year and in future years," said Pennington. "We think this will grow into an outstanding program for youths in our area to have a chance to broaden their horizons."