Apr 8, 2008 7:09 pm US/Eastern
N.J. Teen Fights Peer Pressure
CHERRY HILL (CBS 3) ―
A New Jersey teenager is teaching her peers how to resist peer pressure. Natasha Brown speaks with the girl only days after the vicious beating of a Florida teen is captured on tape.
Kristina Coia's bright purple wig is meant to turn heads. The 15-year-old wears it when she is speaking to groups of pre-teens, but it is also meant to promote a serious message about self esteem and self worth, no matter how "different" you might look.
"If you can just overcome that insecurity no matter whether you have big ears or purple hair I can still be myself and I can still make good choices for myself," Coia said.
The Florida teenagers who intentionally recorded an attack on another teenage girl made all the "wrong" choices that could now land them in jail. The disturbing video seen around the country caused Kristina's mother to cringe.
"It really is sad to think that our children could be doing that to each other and i think it comes down to self esteem," said Kristina's mom.
Kristina uses her wig to promote a national character development program for teenagers called "Shine Through." It teaches the principals of self confidence and self respect.
"Being self confident means liking yourself and having the self respect to make good choices, helping other's out," said Coia.
It is a message meant for the young, one that is meant to resonate with them for years to come.
Kristina's Shine Through program targets kids beginning in middle school, leading up to high school. To learn more about this program visit:
http://www.mypurplewig.com.
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