Manchester Middle School’s 15th Annual “Stand By Me Day” was once again a day full of positive influences from over 50 guest presenters this year, including an author and a TV nutritionist, along with athletes, musicians, and representatives from dozens of community organizations.  Instead of going from class to class, students rotated through a schedule of special programs and guest presentations designed to promote good decision-making and help students navigate safely through the challenges of their teenage years.

Dr. Felicia Stoler, a nutritionist and exercise physiologist who hosts the TLC network show “Honey We’re Killing the Kids,” spoke to students about the importance of exercise and healthy eating.  She showed a video that showed computer-generated images of how children with unhealthy lifestyles might age if they did not change their ways, and told about the medical complications they were in danger of experiencing, like diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease.

Philip Aronson, co-author with his wife, Emme, of “Morning Has Broken: A Couple’s Journey Through Depression,” spoke about his battle with depression and his realization that it is a disease that does not discriminate, affecting people of all ages and from all walks of life.  Aronson told the students that many children and teens suffer from depression, which is often unrecognized and can lead to thoughts of suicide.  “Did you know that the third leading cause of death in children and teens is suicide?”

“I want you to remember three important things,” he said.  “First, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.  Second, depression is not a sign of personal weakness, it is an illness.  And most of all, I want you to know that there is hope.  If I can get to the other side, so can any one of you.”

Dr. Shrabanee Shah also spoke to students about mental illness, including depression and bipolar disorder.  She explained how the chemical imbalance between serotonin and dopamine can affect your entire body.

Outside on the soccer field, a NJ State Police helicopter landed mid-morning. Trooper James Baranyay, the pilot, spoke about how the helicopter is used and answered students’ questions about his job.  One student wanted to know if it was hard to learn to fly the helicopter.  “Well, it was a little hard at first, but once you get it, it’s like riding a bike,” Baranyay answered. The students also had an opportunity to get an up close look inside the helicopter.

In the gym, Caryn Lin had the students rocking with her demonstration of the electric violin in a program titled “From Bach to Rock.” 

“I’m going to show you lots of fun things you can do with sound, technology and the violin,” Lin began. She interspersed her musical performance with explanations of the history of the violin and the evolution of electronic music, demonstrating not only the violin, but also electronic sound effects using pedals, stomp boxes and digital looping.

Project PACKMAN (Police And Community Kids’ Music Against Narcotics) also entertained students with a concert in the gym.  This group of middle and high school students from the Manasquan/Sea Girt area pledge to remain drug-free in order to be a part of the PACKMAN band, which performs locally in benefit concerts. Officer Melendez, coordinator of the group, said that plans are being made to expand the PACKMAN program to other areas.

Karen Souffrant, of Georgian Court College, gave students advice on how to be successful in life.  She spoke about self-acceptance, healthy behaviors, and the importance of having a life purpose, trying new things, and learning to forgive yourself.

In other presentations, students learned about money management from Kathy & Sean Nolan of Family Focus; listened to the stories of Ken Mattson and Cindi Tonkavitch, who lost children to drug addiction; participated in a self-defense demonstration from representatives of Tiger Schulmann’s Karate; and got advice from law enforcement officers about dealing with bullies, avoiding gangs and drugs, and using the internet safely.

Hopefully, Manchester Middle School students came away from the event knowing that there is a caring network of adults and fellow students willing to encourage, inspire and ‘stand by them’ through the challenges of their adolescent years.