Now That I'm 18

On Feb. 14, many Samo seniors attended the first seminar of the “Now That I’m 18” series at Barnum Hall. The seminar addressed issues relating to sexual abuse, violence, exploitation and other serious consequences for those who are legally adults.  “The goal of the seminars is to prep seniors who are turning 18 for the transition from high school to college, and also from being a teenager to adulthood,” Principal, Dr. Antonio Shelton said. “I think seniors think that they know everything there is to know about being 18, as far as the transition from high school to college, but I don’t think they really do.” To make sure that Samo seniors are fully equipped for adulthood, Samo invited a prosecuting lawyer to speak at the seminars. At the first seminar, he specifically addressed that the legal consequences as an adult are much more severe than those as a minor. Even though the seminar took place before school on a late start Wednesday, the turnout was very impressive, with almost half the entire senior class attending. Among these seniors was Addie Lloyd (’18), who enjoyed all the seminar had to offer. “I actually really liked it!” Lloyd said. “The information that he gave us was relevant and important. I already knew most of what he said, but it was nice to listen to an experienced professional talk about these issues.” Overall, the first “Now That I’m 18” seminar seemed to have been a success, conveying to all Samo seniors the important message that the choices you make when you are 18 can define the rest of your life, so it is important to be aware of what being an adult truly means.