Looking Behind Closed Doors—

Newtown’s Teen Center: A Remarkably Positive Place

By kendra bobowick

Beyond the crush of dyed hair and piercings, decorative jewelry and elaborate makeup flashed as an intense drum beat and electric guitar chords flooded the room. Amplifiers strained to keep up with the hard-core high school band performing at the Teen Center Friday night. 

Cramped around the room’s pool and foosball tables, video games and vending machines, were crushes of high school students pushing ahead for a better view, shooting pool, or enjoying free time spent with peers from 7 to 11 pm.

Since the center opened in 1991, the facility has seen both a rise and fall in interest, and weathered community doubts, according to Parks and Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian.

“We have had our ups and we have had our downs as far as attendance,” Ms Kasbarian said.

The center “was wonderfully received” when it initially opened, she said. “We had some huge, huge turn-outs that first year or so.”

Although the center’s inception was a positive opportunity for teens, it was also a response to a bad scenario in 1988. “The police were arresting kids hanging around at the Grand Union parking lot,” Ms Kasbarian said.

Teen Center Supervisor Amy Mangold agreed, saying, “The reason it started was a lot of students said there was not a lot to do except hang out in parking lots.”

The circumstances caused a rumbling in the community. “There was an uproar by the parents,” she said. Parks and Recreation coordinated with Newtown Youth Services and held a meeting that drew more than 300 people. Public comment revealed an unmistakable message.

“It came out loud and clear that they wanted someplace for the kids to go.” Ms Kasbarian said as she remembered that evening.

The town offered the old garage next to the Ice Cream Shop, which Parks and Recreation accepted. Ms Kasbarian then saw the beginnings of the Newtown Teen Center. With further donations of time and materials, the center evolved into a working recreational space.

Several wrinkles have emerged since the center began, however. The center — a reply to parents’ appeal for help — became the subject of criticism by the same group, Ms Kasbarian explained.

“It had gotten a bad image, the parents didn’t want their kids there,” she said. “Supposedly there were drugs and alcohol.”

Ms Kasbarian also describes several incidents harming the center’s image.

Thinking back several years, she said, “A teen was caught trying to come in, and he had alcohol either on him or on his breath,” she said. Again reiterating the center’s zero-tolerance to drugs or alcohol, she said, “The police were called immediately to deal with that.”

Additional publicity also detracted from the center’s reputation.

“That story ran in the paper and now people thought the problem was rampant, and it isn’t,” she said.

Ms Kasbarian told a more recent story about police catching up with a person they sought, who had stopped at a pay phone on the street in front of the Teen Center. Ms Kasbarian believes the public version of this story veers from the truth at this point.

She said, “Somehow it got out that the problem was at the Teen Center.” However, Ms Kasbarian said police had chased the individual from elsewhere in town. Frustrated by the center’s sullied image, she said, “It’s things like that happening that give the center a bad name.”

The reality of what takes place at the center is not founded in surreptitious consumption of alcohol or drugs, but indulging in entertainment, games, and a place for teens’ social events like fundraisers, game night, and forums for high school bands. In fact, some parents join the crowd to listen to their child’s music, Ms Kasbarian noted.

Defending the center against accusations, Ms Mangold said, “Teens are teens wherever they are. We have had isolated incidents, but what I think is so great about the center is that they are supervised, and there is an adult there.”

Further addressing parents’ concerns, Ms Mangold said, “I think the parents are realizing that any negativity they heard about the Teen Center is rumor, and not true.”

She also noted parents’ positive reactions.

“I have a lot of parents who are appreciative of what we do,” she said. Most importantly are the young adults who visit.

“The kids come in and don’t feel like they’re being babysat,” she said, noting high school students “have outgrown the Edmond Town Hall movies” and now have the center as an alternative.

Recreation Supervisor RoseAnne Reggiano is pleased with the two new video games recently added to the center.  Like Ms Kasbarian, Ms Reggiano wants to build up positive interest in the center’s activities.

Aside from the air hockey and pool table, Ms Reggiano said, “We’re trying to do more in there for the teens.”

Currently drawing much interest and large crowds are the high school bands often booking time on the weekends.

“Any time we can book it,” bands are welcome to play, Ms Reggiano said.

Ms Mangold said bands play at least three times a month.

She and coworker, Bonnie Willie, both supervise while the center is open. A police officer is also at the center when bands play and during special events, said Ms Mangold.

Band nights are student organized, she said. A teen organizes the gig, and she helps coordinate. Although the bands are popular lately, Ms Mangold said, “We go through waves of interest.”

She has seen the center’s identity in the community emerge since it first opened.

Taking time off for maternity leave, Ms Mangold wanted to keep a hand in the Parks and Recreation activities. At the time, she said, “I took the Teen Center under my wing.”

She is at the center on weekends, during band night, and for special events. According to Ms Kasbarian, Ms Mangold is “very on top of things.”

Ms Mangold said, “We never have trouble,” but did say if the crowd grew rowdy during a band, she just had to ask them to settle down.

Ms Mangold would like to see an increased interest in the center. She said, “I hope to see more [teens] come and use it. I am working to get more things in here to attract the kids who want to come in and just hang out.” Teens can bring in CDs or DVDs and watch them with friends, or place any other requests for things they would like to do. Ms Mangold encourages students with a particular interest to contact the Parks and Recreation Department. Recently her son, Andrew Mangold, has started up a weekly interest group.

Ms Reggiano also describes a group that has recently begun called Dagorhir, which is based on Lord of the Rings. According to Dagorhir.org, “Dagorhir was founded in 1977 by college friends who shared an enthusiasm for Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings and medieval history. Regular ‘battles’ were held, and friends were encouraged to come out and play. Over the next couple of years, Dagorhir was featured on a number of local college radio shows.”

Renaissance festivals often feature demonstrations.

Students at the center have described weapons as Styrofoam replicas. The fantasy role-playing has caught on locally, and the group meets weekly at the center.

The center opens to bands, groups with a special interest, and those who just want a place to be with friends, said Ms Reggiano.

“There are all kinds of teens, there isn’t any certain group that comes in,” she said. She, Ms Kasbarian, and Ms Mangold all are trying to respond to the teens’ requests.

Ms Reggiano notes the additional video games now in place, but admits, “They want more.”

Ms Mangold senses an interest beyond just the bands. She said, “Students would love to have bands every weekend, but I think there are kids who may want other activities but are reluctant to come forward.”

Ms Reggiano confirms that funding and staffing are two primary hurdles with opening the center for additional days. Ms Kasbarian also said that the building is shared, and in use weekdays.

The Teen Center is open from 7 to 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Inquiries may be directed to Parks and Recreation a t270-4340. Students may call this number with requests for activities.