When my high school cut its sex education program, my classmates and I decided to take matters in our own hands. We performed a series of 30-minute plays at Wilson High School called “Carriers,” to inform our peers on sexual education and health.
With the help of our drama teacher, Randall Bowen, we not only learned about sex education, but we were able to be teachers too.
Being a part of the play was great. As the narrator, I was able to teach my schoolmates about sexual transmitted diseases and how it could affect their lives.
Topics covered during the play included herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, and how to use protection, such as condoms. An actor was also showed how you could get crabs from sharing wet towels and bathing suits. Another told the story of HPV and that while boys might have HPV and show no symptoms, it’s easier for girls to show symptoms. Everyone learned that if it wasn’t treated it could cause cancer in the years to come.
After the play was the discussion. All the actors from the play did their research on all kinds of STDs, how to use condoms and how to seek help if you had concerns and shared their knowledge openly. Sometimes teachers added a few comments to help, but it was the responsibility of the actors to educate their fellow students.
Because the discussion was student-led, our classmates felt less embarrassed asking questions. For instance, one student asked if you could get pregnant from dry humping. Another student asked if gonorrhea is curable.
We were able to answer them and direct them on where to go if they had any concerns about health.
Even as an actor in the play, I was also able to have my questions answered too. I learned that STDs were serious and that people can get really sick or even die from them. I also learned that there are local organizations that can help teens thinking about abortion.
Many adults and teenagers don’t know the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, and most people think “it won’t happen to me,” but one day they could be victims of a deadly disease and they will regret not taking safer steps. By showing examples and urging students to be careful, I know that we definitely saved some lives.
In the video below, Voicewaves interviewed students from Wilson who participated in the play and students who watched it.
