Eight teens from five Porter County high schools were among students from across the nation to participate in Abstinence Day on the Hill in Washington, D.C., March 16-18. 
Representing A Positive Approach to Teen Health (PATH, Inc.) were George Amaya, Zachary Arndt, Ryan Hough, Brianna Largent, Anthony Malcevic, Haley Miller, Ashley Post, and Ashley Spur.
After completing a Tuesday leadership training session, the students and PATH chaperones Jaime Bauer, Wade Breitzke, and Stephanie Morris met with the staffs of Senators Richard G. Lugar (R-IN) and Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Congressman Dan Burton (R) of Indiana District Five on Wednesday. The teens shared personal stories of how the support and skills that PATH taught them has allowed them to deal with the struggles in their lives. They pointed out that the organization is facing serious monetary challenges due to the loss of some $600,000 in federal funding.
A staff member of Congressman Mike Pence (R) of Indiana District Six gave the Porter County group a personal tour of the capital building.
Largent comments, "It was such a wonderful opportunity to experience a new place and make new friends. But most of all, I felt like I was truly making a difference in our state. After standing up for my beliefs in D.C., I feel confident enough to stand up for them anywhere."