The teens, who are residents

of the Housing Authority of Fulton County's Housing Choice Voucher Program,

participate in the P.A.S.S.A.G.E. (Promoting Alternatives, Suggesting

Solutions and Generating Excellence) Afterschool Academic Enrichment Program

operated by the Community Opportunity Centers, Inc.

Through a regimen of workshops

on topics such as abstinence, AIDS and STD, anger management and cultural

enrichment, the teens gain new perspectives on life, undergoing a metamorphosis.

The Teen of Excellence program's symbol is, appropriately, a butterfly.

"We make them aware of

their wonderful potential and the tools they need to succeed," says

Bettye Davis, HAFC executive director.

Participants also receive homework

assistance and tutoring, explore careers and scholarship opportunities,

take computer training, and go on field trips and college tours.

"We provide them with

exposure, help them to excel academically, and give them positive options

to the many negative pressures they face as teens," says Tyronda

Minter, COC Executive Director.

Vying for "Queen"

(high school students) and "Princess" (middle school students)

are:

Santrice Ashe, 16, Benjamin

Banneker High School;

Ramona Ashe, 14, Benjamin Banneker

High School;

Simona Ashe, 14, Benjamin Banneker

High School;

Sandrell Atkinson, 14, Bear

Creek Middle School;

LaTonya Briggs, 13, Sandy Springs

Middle School;

Jasmine Butler, 15, Westlake

High School;

Chasity Colton, 13, Camp Creek

Middle School;

Soukeye Diop, 13, Paul D. West

Middle School;

Rosemary Kendall, 13, Camp

Creek Middle School;

Michella McClarity, 14, Riverwood

High School;

Catherine Newall, 13, Bear

Creek Middle School; and

Candace Willis, 18, North Springs

High School.

Their Young Men of Distinction

escorts are:

DéAndre Bowden, 16,

Westlake High School;

Demetrius Clayton, 16, Westlake

High School;

Gordon Daniel, 15, Westlake

High School;

Andre Delanie, 16, Westlake

High School;

Antonio Delanie, 15, Westlake

High School;

Travis Edwards, 14, Camp Creek

Middle School;

Marquise Gray, 12, Camp Creek

Middle School;

David Howard, 13, Camp Creek

Middle School;

Anthony Smith, 15, Westlake

High School; and

David Williams, 12, Camp Creek

Middle School.

The pageant will be held 4

p.m.-7 p.m., May 4 in the Robert Ferst Center for the Arts, 349 Ferst

Drive, NW, at Georgia Tech. For tickets, which are $10, call the Ferst

Box Office at 404-894-9600. For more about the teen programs, call 404-305-2462.