This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In Feb. 7's Tribune there was a well thought out and beautifully written article by a young woman named Ava Pecora, a high school senior at Rowland High School, a private school here in Utah.
Who better than an intelligent and well taught teenager could express such pertinent facts about the frustrations and insecurities of sex education. She told us, as readers, about the excellent factual instructions and information in health classes that helped her and others to learn the information young adults need to know about life and sexuality. She mentioned the statistics of very high numbers of venereal diseases in Utah teens. Real facts.
She was telling it "like it is" as teenagers struggle to find out on their own about life when they could function better with better information.
Why here in Utah do parents not understand that their teenagers do not get the opportunity to have accurate, helpful and pertinent information about the facts of sexual activity and the correct information to prevent serious diseases? This is a health issue, not a moral or religious set of facts.
She did not have to listen to the truly antiquated information of "no sex" until marriage. Wake up, parents, and help the youth of this state by allowing very qualified teachers in health classes to teach these facts.
As a former public educator, I know students like to hear the truth.
Thank you, Miss Pecora.
Dotty Wrathall
Draper