Pittston Area High School holds meeting to confront recent teen suicides

Yatesville--Hundreds of people gathered in the Pittston Area High School auditorium on Wednesday night for a special meeting on sucide prevention.

Joshua Santos - Nanticoke

Matt Montagna - Pittston

Jamie Baker - Pittston

The meeting followed after the tragic suicides of four students, one being from the Greater Nanticoke Area School District, another from the Hazleton Area School District, and two being from Pittson Area.

The meeting was presided over by a panel of experts which included Pittston Area Superintendent Mike Garzella,  Carmen Ambrosino head of the Luzerne County drug and Alcohol Service Center, and others from social Services and the Department on Mental Health. The meeting also allowed parents and community members to speak out and address their concerns.

Hundreds of people turned out to express their views at the suicide prevention meeting on Wednesday.

Pittston Area Senior Mary Yozwiak spoke out to the crowd about her struggles with bullying which started in kindergarten and led to her battle with Anorexia.

"When people would call me fat and ugly I would often think I was worthless and have thoughts of suicide," said Yozwak. "However, I realized by clinging to those I love and keeping a level head, the bullies made me stronger."



Samantha Neman lost her son Kyle at the age of 13-years-old to suicide. Neman said Kyle was a kid who loved life and planned on being a doctor who cured cancer once he was older. Neman believes bullying is only one aspect to suicide and their are many others that need to be looked at. Holding up Kyle's picture, Neman said Kyle was a straight A student, was well liked, and doesn't believe bullying was the reason for her son's decision.

Samantha Neman holds a picture of her son Kyle who committed suicide five years ago. 

"Parents need to engage in their kids lives and listen to what they have to say," said Neman. "Bullying is a quick rush to judgement when we all know other factors can be a role in these tragic decisions ."

Members of the suicide prevention panel also took questions and offered their advice on the issue. Superintendent Mike Garzella said "Pittston Area High School has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to bullying and the deaths of these teens are currently under investigation."

Superintendent Mike Garzella addresses the crowd at Wednesday's suicide prevention meeting.

Some parents also issued concerns that the staff at Pittston Area also needs to be trained while dealing with the students and that some members can be bullies themselves. When asked if the staff at Pittston Area is under investigation Garzella would not comment on any particulars of the investigation.

Wilkes-Baree teacher Jamie Andrews addresses the panel  on what things teachers could do to help their students.

"Let me just say I think we have an excellent staff at Pittston Area and I'm taking accusations of our staff being bullies with a grain of salt," said Garzella.

Experts also advised parents to talk to their kids and urged student to talk with someone they know they can trust. Carmen Ambrosino offered the idea of creating a suicide prevention task force.

"This is a community effort and let me assure all of you that this is not the last time this panel is going to meet," said Ambrosino.

Resources were provided by the panel if a parent has any suspicion of their child committing suicide.

1-800-273-TALK
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
http://www.afsp.org/

A lesson to commemorate

 In our vast world change is an inevitable part of life. We went from CD players to i-pods, from typewriters to computers, and from human interaction to facebook. However, despite some of the impressive changes technology brings, we still have a lot to learn when it comes to matters of the heart.

I knew Matthew Montagna only well enough to say I knew his name and to say hi. But from what I've been hearing from individuals who did know Matthew, he had a heart that was larger then life itself. The world can be a cruel place and during our toughest years of growth and development we're presented with a stigma which tells us we have to dress a certain way, act a certain way, and if we don't follow these unwritten "rules," the world will swallow us up in a blink of an eye.

I'm writing this to tell Matthew that he was better then all of that and someone who was a step above all of us when it came to compassion. It's that type of compassion we need to remember everyday and not just when someone is crying out for help.

Matthew's death although tragic, has taught us a lesson and brought forth a special mission to appreciate all life, whether it be a shoulder to cry on when needed, or to provide a simple smile to brighten someones day. Subsequently, their will be many who miss Mathew and many who will mourn over the loss of such a young life. However, even though he will be missed we must celebrate the fact that Matthew decided to be the best of himself while he was with us on earth.

And on that note, Matthew's light will always shine, for he is no longer in pain and he is a symbol for those who need help fending for themselves. With that symbol also comes our responsibility to be there not only when others need us but to also be there to show kindness to every person no matter what our differences may be.

Matthew although I did not know you I hope this column will help others spread the message that you are now the light which shines in individuals that are caught up in darkness. It is your spirit that is needed in each and everyone of us. I will unfortunately never physically meet you but your spirit will now guide me to be a better person and for that, I thank you.

                                                               
there will be a Candle Lighting Service at the Panther's field in Remembrance of Matthew Montagna on Wednesday September 26th at the Jr. Patriots Field on Swallow Street in Pittston.

The other guy

(Above) Matt Powell - The CP Optimist

My long time friend Justin Hunter once told me "People only hold you as high as you hold yourself." Over the years I've tried to take that statement and live above any kind of obstacle life may throw at me. I achieved goals experts said I wouldn't like riding a bike, going to regular school and recently getting my college degree.

I have parents like no other who have given me nothing but joy and happiness over the years and without them, I wouldn't be where I am today. However, in recent months I've fallen a little off track. Like many 21-year-olds parties and having fun have been my main focus and I've worried weather I could be socially accepted with my nice guy reputation in a world that at times, only worries about fitting in and looking cool.

I see girls go after guys who they feel meets their persona. A guy who's living on the edge with no rules and frankly, treats them as if they mean nothing. I was never that guy. In fact, I was the guy who smiled way to much and I always joked with my friends that I'm lucky my teeth aren't falling out of my mouth.

Many individuals in my generation find this personality unsettling because let's face it, my generation is growing up in a cynical world that tells us we need to act a certain way otherwise, we're no good. And even though right now as I'm saying this let me point out that I've fallen through these temptations as well. I am human and sure enough if you punch me, I will bleed.

My personality was being punched by life which caused me to bleed inside for quite some time. I questioned my philosophy on life and I was thinking that despite all of my flowery words, big smile, and optimistic sayings maybe it was truly all a joke.

But then as I drug my feet and I was told by the world I had to be this guy or that guy; I had an epiphany that changed my life forever and it's something the world needs to know. No matter who a person is or who they think they should be, confidence in who you really are is all that matters in this crazy world of ours. I'm not this guy or that guy. I'm the other guy. The CP Optimist...and I'm proud to say that I'm back.

 

Marking a milestone

December is a big month in my life. It’s the month I was not supposed to be born in. In fact, it was three months earlier then my due date.

Back in 1990 I only weighed two pounds, which is the size of a stick of butter. I was deformed and my body was frail and weak. Not much was expected of me. My parents not knowing if their little boy would even make it through the night and my mother being so sure that I would.

When I was two I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and I was predicted to never read, write, or go to regular school. It’s ironic that I will be graduating from LCCC and I write for a paper that reaches over 10,000 people. In fact, I’m graduating in December. Go figure.

My condition has had a lot of heartbreaks over the years. The aches and pains, the seizures, surgeries, helplessness, and even tears. However, if I had to do it all over again, I would do it all the same way. It’s allowed me to appreciate things that I may not of appreciated otherwise.

Now that I’m about to mark another milestone in my life all I can think about is, where would I be without the love and compassion by my family and friends? As Michael J. Fox once said “A disease is a journey that brings you one step forward and two steps back.” However, so many people in my life have pushed me to take the steps I’ve needed to succeed.

I love each and every one of these people and I always will. I can never thank you enough for how much you’ve impacted my life. And to my mom all I can say is, I did it.

Being happy with who you really are

Over the past few days I've been having a nice conversation with a girl whose Cerebral Palsy is very similar to my own. I don't really know her but she seems like a great person who's fun to talk to. However, it made me sad when she told me that she's afraid to trust people because she doesn't know if they will accept her for her illness.

In response to that comment I told her that she wasn't alone. Because even those who tend to look on the bright side of things will sometimes get caught in the illusion that things are going horribly wrong. In regards to this person's privacy I will keep her name anonymous. But hopefully, by giving her 10 basic tips based on my own experiences, will help her out.

1. Surround yourself with people who look at you for what you have on the inside rather then surrounding yourself with people who judge you for your physical limitations. People who are afraid to see what you have to offer probably don't have much to offer themselves, so don't let that bother you.

2. If  you go out with friends and feel like your struggling to keep up, don't be afraid to tell them, because if they are truly your friends they will wait for you to catch up.

3. Do not dwell on the things you can't do but rather focus on the things you can do.

4. Try not to get to hung up on finding that special someone. Their are people who have no physical limitations who search all their lives to find their soul mate and trust me, when you do find that right person you will just know, and it will be the best feeling you've ever experienced.

5. If you feel like your world is crashing down know, that it is only temporary and not permanent. Sooner or later, you will get back on top.

6. Be a doer not a quitter. When you fall get up, brush yourself, off, and try again.

7. Find someone who you care about and can tell anything to. More then likely, they will gain more respect for you and your bond will just keep getting stronger. You become each others rock and nothing on this earth can break that special bond you have with that person.

8. Don't be afraid to fail because without failure, you'll never really know what it truly means to succeed.

9. Sometimes it's good to move a little slower in a world that moves way to fast.

10. Remember that Cerebral Palsy is only one aspect of your life and not the entirety of your life. Try to focus on the positive aspects of your disability and not the negative. Trust me, nine times out of ten you can turn a negative into a positive.

I hope these 10 tips helped somewhat and just remember you're never alone. If you need someone to talk to don't hesitate to e-mail me at cpawareness1@live.com. Remember, anything is possible!

Sincerely,
Matthew J. Powell (The CP Optimist)

No regrets and living life to its fullest

Last night I received an e-mail from a reader who asked me if I have any regrets about having Cerebral Palsy. In response I told them Lets be honest, at times it does suck. After a long day at school I'll sometimes lay in bed clenching both my legs because of what feels like railroad spikes being driven into them.

I'll wake up in the morning so hunched over that it looks like I'm an eighty year old man at the age of twenty. And lets not forget the tremors I receive throughout my body which make me look like I just showered in my own sweat.

However, it is a part of me and more then likely it always will be, even if researchers ever do find a cure. My Cerebral Palsy has brought me to so many people who I may never have met otherwise. It has allowed me to appreciate the philosophy of show me what you can do and not what you can't do.

Life presents us with all sorts of challenges that can be difficult and hard to deal with. In response, we can either do one of two things. We can shut ourselves out from the people we care about and say I'm not going to make it.

Or we can recognize the fact that even though we might not have been given the best hand we are going to try our best to be a winner in the game of life. Sometimes, you will lose and you will fail. But that's only natural. But what you cannot do is be afraid to fail.

Over the past three months I can feel my muscles starting to tighten. The pain at times, caused me to question my optimistic nature and  try to push away the people I care about the most. I thought my disability was causing me to fail. But on the contrary, it was my attitude towards my disability that was causing me to fail.

We must remember that in all dark times there will always be light  at the end of the tunnel. For me, my light has been my family and my friends. I regret nothing of who I am and if I had a chance to live my life any other way, I would do it the same all over again. I am truly blessed.

-This article is dedicated to the people who show me the light every day. My parents, Lizz Raffa, Meaghan Goode, Rob Macario, Josh Batch, and Emil Ishley.

Today's History Tomorrow's a Mystery

Life is like a time bomb. It could blow at any minute, any second, and it seems like there is nothing you can do to stop it. I was recently in that situation and when I thought I had nothing left I tried doing the unthinkable. But that's because I wasn't thinking.

Life is a game that hits us with challenges that seem impossible. they make us upset, bring us down, and more often then not, a person won't be able to complete the task at hand.

But does that mean you give up and throw everything away? Absolutely not! Things happen that are not our fault. You can do everything right down to the tee and life will throw a punch that knocks us to the ground.

But the person who I know, who is my best friend, and who I love with all my heart is far from being down for the count. Because she is a person who I have faith in more then anyone. And no matter how impossible things may seem to be she always finds a way to make that impossible situation possible.

Know that when you are upset and crying...I'm crying with you. And the people who care about you will always be there to pick you back up and wipe your tears away. It's not the first time something like this has happened and I guarantee you it certainly won't be the last. But when you're presented with grief you learn from it, you grow from it, and it makes you a stronger person in the end.

Everything happens for a reason Piglet and I know you will find a way to make things better again. You are my hero. I wouldn't be half the person I am today if it wasn't for you. And the people who care about you are there to do the same for you.

The one great thing about life is that every day is a new day and we can dust ourselves off and try again. Just take each day one step at a time. Today's history and tomorrow's a mystery. Keep your chin up piglet...we're all here for you whenever you need us. Love you.