MEDIA RELEASE

Breaking back to school stress starts with a Hip Hop Bash 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3 at Waimea Community Center.

The high-energy night includes a Hip Hop class with Alayna from 6:30-7:30 p.m., followed by an open dance with DJ Chad, Xbox games, snacks and cold drinks, at the community center (between the ball fields and Isaacs Art Center).

Admission is $3 at the door and all students 12-19 years old are welcome.

The “no alcohol, no drugs, no drama” event is presented by the participants of Lifeplan Institute Hawaii Island (LIHI) Youth Leadership Team. A project of Five Mountains Hawaii, LIHI is an innovative mentoring program for youth ages 12-19.

Last year, LIHI trained 60 adult mentors, who have since worked enthusiastically towards establishing a full-fledged program in Hawaii County. The Back 2 School Hip Hop Bash is also a way to help young people learn what goes into planning and carrying out a community event.

“This kind of project teaches leadership,” said Kei-Lin Cerf, Lifeplan mentor and executive director of the Hualalai Ohana Foundation, “We often hear that there’s ‘nothing to do.’ And this can help our students start to understand what it means to create events for youth — from organizing and budgeting to working with other people and organizations, and understanding the need to take responsibility among their peers.”

Just because it’s a community project doesn’t mean the Back 2 School Hip Hop Bash won’t be a lot of fun and a great way to burn off some energy, hang out with friends and relax. Produced by teens for teens, the dance is designed with everyone in mind, including Xbox games for those who don’t spend much time on the floor.

Donations of food and soft drinks, door prizes and time as adult chaperones are welcome. Contact Beth Mehau at Mama’s House, 887-2287.

Advance tickets are available at Mama’s House, limited to first 180 students.

For more information on LIHI and youth mentoring programs, visit www.lifeplanhawaii.org