Louisiana GPA students stand for abstinence on our state’s Capitol Hill

Louisiana student leaders from the Governor's Program on Abstinence joined young people from across the nation to participate in the third annual Abstinence Day on the Hill.

The four students selected to represent Louisiana's GPA program included: LSU sophomore Caitlyn Turner of Baton Rouge, high school senior Lance Frank of Lake Charles, Louisiana Tech freshman Lorin Daniels of West Monroe, and LSU sophomore Curtis Lipscomb of Monroe.

"These students were selected for their exceptional leadership skills and ability to articulate the abstinence message," said GPA State Coordinator/Director Gail Dignam.

"They did an outstanding job while visiting each member of the Louisiana delegation," she added.

The GPA student leaders met with U.S. Senators, Mary Landrieu and David Vitter, and U.S. Representatives, Rodney Alexander, Richard Baker, Charles Boustany, William Jefferson, Bobby Jindal, Jim McCrery and Charlie Melancon.

Both senators and all seven representatives from Louisiana expressed their commitment to continue supporting Title V funding for continued abstinence education.

During their stay in Washington, D.C., the students attended various receptions and were treated to breakfast and lunch with distinguished guest speakers and elected officials.

"I never expected to have the opportunity to influence leaders in Washington on such an important issue," said GPA Student of the Year, Caitlyn Turner.

The Louisiana GPA is a health and educational program committed to promoting and publicizing the benefits of abstinence. The purpose is to raise awareness of the problems associated with out-of-wedlock births and sexually transmitted diseases.

It offers a middle school curriculum, high school and college clubs and an award-winning website. The GPA is funded solely with federal funds and includes interactive events and conferences, monthly meetings, newsletters and projects.