Published April 30. 2015 12:00AM
Several Whitehall-Coplay Middle School students received certificates from Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. for completing a seven-week Strengthening Families program April 15.
The program helps parents learn how to show love, but set limits, and teaches the children about goal setting and resisting peer pressure.
The Strengthening Families program is a part of the Communities That Care Coalition. The Penn State Extension and Lehigh Valley Youth House worked with the school district on the program.
"It helps parents and students learn the most effective way to handle things and sticky issues, like drugs and alcohol prevention," Denise Continenza of Penn State Extension said. "It helps build relationships between the students and parents."
Four students, Dennis Kutzura, Andy Harwi, Kaiden Plarr and Edgardo Calderon, participated in the completion of the program Wednesday night. The students spoke to a panel of high school students about life at the high school, wrote letters to their parents and received their certificates from Hozza.
"I'm glad to be here and give out these certificates," Hozza said to the students.
PRESS PHOTO BY ANDREW MARK Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. stands with students and their families at the conclusion of the Strengthening Families program, part of the Communities That Care Coalition. Pictured are, back row: Ashley Weaver, Pat Harwi, Yolanda Matias, Deniele Kutzura, Jennifer Hertzog, Hozza, Dennis Kutzura, Andy Harwi, Kaiden Plarr, Edgardo Calderon, Gwen Davis, Matha Fenningham and Jane Pena; and front row: Kelly Merrill, John Merrill, Kamiryn Plarr, Kristen Hackman and John Pena.
