Fenger Student Stands Up Against Violence

by Patti Hayes

Leo Allen

Fenger High School, part of the Chicago Public School system is located in an impoverished area of the city that has been hit extremely hard by the economic times, and by increasingly higher rates of student violence in the last decade. Fenger junior Leo Allen III has taken a stand against the problems and violence around him at his school and wants his fellow students to know he wants them all to have hope, and that they can make better choices.

This would seem a daunting task given Chicago Public School statistics. The third largest school district in the country has only a 52.2% graduation rate, and at Fenger, only a 45.4% rate among males. In this school year alone, two Fenger students have lost their lives to violent crimes. And statistics indicate the rate of violence is escalating dramatically.

During the 06-07 school year, 24 students lost their lives to shootings. In the following year, that rate climbed to 23 deaths and 211 shootings. The past school year saw an increase to 34 deaths and 290 shootings. By May of 2009, there were already 36 students attending Chicago Public School who were killed due to violent crimes. (AP, 10/6/09). These statistics are both alarming and frightening.

Leo Allen III decided to take a position and try to make a difference not only in his own school, but throughout the Chicago area. He auditioned and earned a place in the cast of “Stand Up: Change Teen Statistics”, a prevention theater program sponsored by the R.Ed.I. Arts and Education Foundation that is written and performed by teens for teens. A determined high school junior, Allen walked miles from the Metra Train station on his own to the audition site, committed to making the show cast and encouraging others through his actions that they can make positive choices too.

His decision to stand up for change cannot have been an easy one. In the last year at Fenger, violent incidents in or on the school grounds rose some 20%, including aggravated battery, drug-related offenses and fights with staff. Fenger high school alone had an incidence of category 4, 5, or 6 school code violations (the most serious offenses) at a rate of 25.3 for every 100 students during the 08-09 school year. (Catalyst, 10/14/09) Fenger high school administration has taken notice, and has requested the “STAND UP!” show for their school this spring, though funding to bring this powerful presentation to a student body who desperately needs to hear messages of hope, has been difficult. Leo Allen is hopeful that the show’s gritty themes and messages will have a positive impact on his school, and classmates.

On January 3, 2010, Dana Koslov, of CBS/Channel 2 News in Chicago took notice of both Leo Allen, and the “Stand Up! Change Teen Statistics” show, running a story on Allen’s and the show’s journey, as well as the need to find sponsorship that can bring this presentation to economically depressed schools such as Fenger. To date, some 30 area schools have requested the “STAND UP!” show. And the buzz is growing, along with the critical need to get positive messages out to our youth.

Executive Director Kim Farah of the R.Ed.I Arts Foundations believes “the authenticity of the show, the fact that it speaks their (the students’) language and is in a format that they understand and can relate to on a personal level makes this show a powerful and unique alternative to reach and provide help for teens.” The one-hour show includes original pop and rap music that appeals to teens and includes sketch-style vignettes that illustrate the pressures and obstacles that tempt and/or concern teens, including violence, drugs and alcohol, body image, bullying, depression, suicide, sexting, teen pregnancy, hate crimes and peer pressure.

Leo Allen and his castmates, all students from the Chicago area make a compelling group of inspiring teens and young adults who are actively participating in changing the grim statistics they are living with in their schools and communities. Preliminary research studies performed by Artgem LLC, shows that the STAND UP! show is a viable means to provide help to troubled teens. 93% of students who have seen the show said they know someone who should see it, 23% said that they were encouraged to seek help and 46% said that this show inspired them to change. And THESE are statistics Leo and his castmates can live with and provide inspiration to them.

For more information on the show STAND UP!, Leo Allen, sponsorship of schools, auditions or the cast, call 630-876-0100 or visit www.redifoundation.org or visit the R.Ed.I Arts and Education fan page on Facebook.