Here are a few of the winning entries in the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month writing contest. The Connection will publish remaining winners in the next issue.
By Zulma Velasquez
First Place Winner
Category: English language
Theme: Me First: Why teen pregnancy is not a part of my plan
I have a dream
To be who I can be.
Having a baby
Just wouldn’t be me.
I sit and think
Of the day when I’m grown.
To live my life freely.
A life of my own.
Having a baby
Would mess it all up.
Let’s think of my future
Just let me grow up.
Cause life is no joke
There’s no time for games
All it takes is one stroke.
Now I’m punished for lames.
Regardless (of) my situation
Whether I love him or not.
I’ll stay away from sexual
relations
Until I tie the knot.
And before I make my nest
I’ll get my degree
I’ll strive for the best
Now that’s truly me.
By Sophia Nguessan
Second Place Winner
Category: English language
Theme: Me First: Why teen pregnancy is not a part of my plan
If I had sex and found out that I was having a baby I would go crazy—
My life would be wrapped around a band.
And I would feel like I have handcufffs on my hands.
I wouldn’t be free to do what I got to do,
And I wouldn't be done getting an education, too.
Getting pregnant isn’t my thing.
It’s just like having a broken wing.
What would my family and friends think—
“Oh, she got pregnant faster than she can blink.”
I have dreams,
Like being the best scorer on the basketball team.
Being pregnant now would be hard for me to succeed—
And that’s not me.
By Marilu Rodriguez
Third Place Winner
Category: English language
Theme: Me first: Why teen pregnancy is not a part of my plan
This poem is what I think that my life would be if I had sex. I don’t want this kind of life, so I choose to say “no.” Hopefully all you girls do the same as me. Just say “no.”
We started out as friends then more. Around came high school and he wanted more. I said “no” at first but then he used that line, “if you love me, you’ll do it.”
So, I said “fine.”
I thought protection was 100 percent, but then the condom ripped. I got scared. I missed two months and my belly got a little big. I knew I wasn’t getting fat because I wasn’t eating as much.
When I went to the doctor he said I was positive. I told my boyfriend and he was glad.
But when I told my mother she was more than mad.
I stayed with my boyfriend. When the ninth month came it was time. Now, I’m the mother of twins and suffering a lot with money because I don’t think I can support my babies.
I wish this had never happened.
So, you teens out there, don’t have sex cause you’ll end up like I did.