Teenagers get royal treatment

After spending 10 weeks participating in career workshops, internships and even some etiquette classes, 11 Newtown teenagers celebrated their success Aug. 14.

Receiving the royal treatment at The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort on Longboat Key, the teenagers were treated to a gourmet lunch, beach time and private tennis lessons from the resort pros.

The group was welcomed by Colony President Katie Klauber-Moulton and the resort's department heads, who each took time to share their job responsibilities, and teach them about careers available in the hospitality industry.

A few of the boys in the program, aspiring to become chefs, were given a private tour of the elaborate kitchen by Executive Chef Jamil Pineda, and had the opportunity to try out the state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen.

"I have been taking culinary classes since middle school; this was great, said Eric Gary-Wilson, 16 of Sarasota. "I especially liked the fire."

Brothers and Sisters Doing the Right Thing, a local nonprofit organization, held its fourth summer program providing educational, recreational and service projects for Newtown teenagers.

This year's theme was "Widen our Worlds" (WOW). The objective was to take the youths outside their comfort zone and expose them to new career choices and job opportunities, along with their civic and personal responsibilities. Throughout the summer participants created theatrical plays, participated in career workshops, attended computer animation classes at Ringling College of Art and Design, and took their annual college tour trip, this year to Morehouse and Spellman Colleges in Atlanta.

To raise money for their Georgia trip, the local youths held car washes. Troy James 14, and Bobby Davis 17, both of Sarasota, agreed they especially enjoyed going to Six Flags of Georgia.

"I liked going to places I'm not used to, and I finally got to leave the state," Troy said. "Going to Atlanta, touring the college and seeing the buildings and monuments was a lot of fun."

Bobby added, "I liked learning about all the different careers I can choose.

"I am thinking about going into law enforcement or marine biology," he said. "I also enjoyed meeting a lot of interesting people."