According to The National Campaign To Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, Texas is ranked as the state with the fifth highest rate of teen pregnancy. This was unacceptable to Hockaday alumn Terry Greenberg ’80. Thus, the North Texas Alliance to Reduce Unintended Pregnancy in Teens (NTARUPT) was formed, aiming to reduce the high rate of teen pregnancy in the state, particularly in the North Texas area.
The organization was formed after Greenberg read her son’s health textbook and realized how little quality sexual education was included. So, she began advocating for more comprehensive sexual education in schools. 50 organizations came together and moved forward as a collective to better impact more teens.
“We connect teens to doctors and work with other organizations that help kids recognize bullying, abuse and many other issues,” Greenberg said.
As part of NTARUPT’s ongoing efforts to combat unintended teen pregnancies, Greenberg created the NTARUPT Film Festival. Greenberg believes that at-risk students will benefit by watching films from students their own age.
“I can stand and talk about teen pregnancy all day long, but teens are really going to listen when it comes from other teenagers,” Greenberg said. “We really wanted to use this as a tool to educate the public on issues that teens are facing.”
Last year, senior River Brooks’ submission placed in the top three. This year, three Hockaday film students, freshmen Louisa Lindsley, Phoebe Knag and Allison Cooper, entered their films into the festival after being presented with the opportunity in their film classes .
Upper School Film Teacher Glenys Quick supports students as they submit their films to festivals.
“I don’t require anyone to do it, I just recommend that they do it. I made them realize they could make the film very simply, without having to get a ton of actors or fancy locations. I gave them more conceptual ideas and they ran with it,” Quick said. “After that, I didn’t interfere too much. They took it on themselves and made great films.”
Knag and Lindsley’s films tied for honorable mention, and Cooper’s film received third place.
“I thought it was really rewarding to get to go to festival and get to be apart of the panels.” Knag said.
Greenberg strongly encouraged Hockaday students to participate in the festival because she believes Hockaday girls have an important perspective to give- but also an important lesson to learn.
“I think you’ll find that the girls from Hockaday got to experience an interesting perspective because the festival is a mix of different socioeconomic groups with different views on teen childbearing,” Greenberg said, “Hockaday girls are empowered and get great information and I really wanted that voice to be heard. I want people to see how Hockaday girls are protecting their futures. Hockaday girls see how much they stand to lose, but other kids may not see how much they have on the line.”
– Ashlynn Long – Asst. Views Editor –
