"Railroaders Against Teen Pregnancy" Project Wins Award

Legacy Simmons (left) and Quashawn Walker display their "Railroaders Against Teen Pregnancy" Project and the award plaque they received.

Representing CollinwoodHigh School, five students in Mrs. Teddy Mwonyoni’s child development class recently were awarded a $465 implementation grant at the Youth for Justice Summit in Columbus, sponsored by the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education.   

The students – Nautica Bates, Dwayne McGowan, Rajiah Stuart, Legacy Simmons and Quashawn Walker – created a project, “Railroaders Against Teen Pregnancy:  Collinwood R.A.P.” that included research, a school survey and an action plan about the risks and consequences of teen pregnancy. Prior to the culminating event, held at the state capital, these young people were guests at John Carroll University, where they learned and observed how to give a presentation.

From their research, students learned that the rate of teen pregnancy in Cuyahoga County is higher than the whole state of Ohio! Results from the school survey showed that 98% of the students agreed that child development class is important for developing the need for parenting awareness. 

Proposed action plan initiatives are: Distributing informational brochures at the Collinwood Public Library; visiting middle school students and local churches to share research; and creating podcasts for a project website.