In trying to help young people navigate the labyrinth of becoming an adult, Miami University Middletown is hosting Word Up Expo from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in Campus and Community room.
The expo will consist of workshops and activities to provide academic and social resources for getting the most out of becoming an adult.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to a have a conversation where students can walk away understanding their value because there are so many different pressures on these young people,” said Kevin L. Aldridge, MUM coordinator of diverse student recruitment and programming.
“Hopefully their experience with us will provide them with a clear view of who they are and that they are good enough to make an impact tomorrow,” Aldridge said.
Several vendors will provide information on how to get the most out of becoming an adult. Students and parents will be able to peruse display tables for information directly tied to students between the sixth to 12th grades.
Conceived from a weekly Internet Christian-oriented radio show titled “Word Up,” in which Aldridge and co-host Kristen Guillory discuss topics that relate to the Christian experience, the event has spread from Texas to Ohio, said Nicole Edwards, spokewoman for KSGuillory Enterprises.
Initially designed for teenage girls, this is the first time the event will be for both genders, Aldridge said.
“We’ll touch on dealing with bullies and boosting your self-esteem, and how parents can be more involved with the difficulties their children might face,” Aldridge said. “Sometimes there is a disconnect, and we use these resources to help bridge that gap, too.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5112 or kelgazzar@coxohio.com.
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