This blog was written by Romalous Jones, a 4Me Teen Health Project Teen Leader at the APEL Health Services site. In addition to completing the 4Me program, Romalous has been a Teen Peer Health Advocate with APEL’s Project Youthlink, which engages youth in community service activities and peer mentorship.

Romalous was recently selected as one of 14 teens from across the country to be a member of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy’s 2015-2016 Youth Leadership Team. As part of this prestigious honor, Romalous attended a kick-off trip to Washington D.C. where all the team members received a crash course on teen pregnancy prevention, were advised on the latest news in the teen world and had fun exploring the nation’s capital.

Hello my name is Romalous Jones, I am 17 years old and I am currently a senior at First Coast High School.

I’ve been apart of APEL for about three years. I enjoy many things about the Teen Health Project — I really love the whole concept of the program. I love the fact that we actually get to go into the community and let our own peers know about the dangers that no one else will.

I enjoy the teens that I get to meet and work with. All of us are all so different and yet we still relate to so many things.

When I was accepted into the Youth Leadership Team I felt so amazed. I thought that there was a slight possibility of me getting accepted, but I never actually thought about getting accepted. When I finally got the call saying I would be apart of the YLT, I was so excited for the trip.

I would have to say that I enjoyed meeting everyone on the trip to Washington the most and seeing Washington the most since it was my first time in the Capitol. I learned a lot on the trip but I would have to say that the most important thing I learned about on the trip is the importance of safe sex.