The Gaffney Ledger from Gaffney, South Carolina • Page 13

I mfm (Tb a CktH'ney Ledger Wednesday. September 23, 1998 Iris Peeler wins 1997 Jersey Youth Achievement Award Granddaughter of Gaffney couple is one of 10 national winners Iris Peeler of Starr, granddaughter of Loyd and Wilma Peeler of Gaffney, was one of 10 winners in the 1997 Youth Achievement Contest and will he presented a 1997 Youth Achievement Award at the All American Jersey activities in Louisville, on Nov. 7. She will receive a cash award of $500 for her achievements. Miss Peeler, who has participated in Jersey youth programs for 11 years, manages her Jerseys on Milky Way Farm which is owned by her parents, LI), and Sherrie Peeler.

She and the other winners from across the country will he recognized at the Junior Banquet for their leadership activities and breeding and management of their own Jersey herd. Miss Peeler has compiled an impressive list of achievements with her Jerseys. The 18-year-old college freshman owns 55 Registered Jerseys, of which 35 are in production. As i group, these cows are among the elite of the breed. At the farm, she pitches in with milking during the summer, on weekends and holidays.

She also helps tattoo and dehorn calves. Miss Peeler is also a seasoned exhibitor, being the Premier Junior Exhibitor of the University of Georgia Spring Show. She picked up 24 blue ribbons at eight regional, stale and local shows in 1997 and was selected winner of the South Commissioner of Agriculture Cup in 1995 for senior showmanship at the Carolina State Pair. She was a delegate to the National 4-H Dairy "uhpvs, 995. State FFA Diver-' Livestock Proficiency Award 'Winner 997, and was elected icent i M'ctvtary for South Carolina Hi rotluT Jersey "activities mt lude on the 1997 Son! i 'arolina 4-11 Livestock Judg-' iiie president of the South 'arolina.

Junior Jersey Cattle Association' lor hree years and president -of Anderson County 4-H Dairy in'' vt-a rs. veal lor Jerseys would be for See PEELER, Page 2B Iris Peeler i1 '5Sfei4t National Depression i Jk Screening Day will be held on Oct. 8 Dear Ann Landers: Last September, you printed information about National Depression Screening Day. I had been feeling down and sad for a while, crying a lot and J( feeling lonely, helpless and worthless. I wasn't motivated, had very little energy and didn't enjoy doing 0 things that I once loved to do.

1 1 I just didn't feel Angela Ann Bratton Mallory Ellis Taylor Tyler Brian Powell Carley Taylor Holcombe like myself. I was approaching menopause and thought my mood problems were due to this Baby wieners crowned at awards ceremony Sept. 19 change of life or, Ann Landers worse, due to some personal weakness or inability to handle my problems. Luckily, when I heard about National Depression Screening Day, I went to he Gaffney Junior Woman's Club has the free education program and screening that was held at a local hospital. The clinicians explained that announced the winners of i depression is a treatable illness, not contestants were presented individually for additional judging in best dressed, cutest smile, cutest personality and most photogenic categories.

"Club members worked hard to organize this year's pageant and it once again proved successful," a spokesman for the Gaffney Junior Woman's Club said. "We will be able to continue to support the School Closet and provide assistance to children in need. We would like to thank all parents, businesses and individuals who have given their support to us through the contest; without the fantastic support of the community, none of this would be possible." its 1998 Baby of the Year contest. Angela Ann Bratton and Tyler Bryan Powell were crowned winners in the 0- to 12-month category; Mallory Rllis Taylor and Blake Whisenant were winners in the 13- to 24-month category; and Carley Taylor Holcombe and Ash-ton Mikeal Lail will hold the titles for the 25- to 36-month category. These babies were crowned at an awards ceremony held on Sept.

19 in the auditorium at (Jranard Jr. High School. Theme for this year's contest was "Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes." All a weakness, and that it wasn't my fault. They helped me find a therapist in my area and reassured me that I would feel better with appropriate help and medication. Ann, I am so glad I took that first step.

Things really turned around for me. I feel so much better and in control of my life. It is my hope that I can be an inspiration to others who suffer from this devastating illness. The 1998 National Depression Screening Day is Oct. 8.

There will be more than 3,000 free anonymous screening sites all across the country. Please urge your readers to take advantage of this important program. Blake Whisenant Ashton Mikeal Lail Irene From Iowa Internationally-known date-rape survivor, Katie Koestner, will speak Sept. 29 at GWU it' Dear Irene: Last year's National Depression Screening Day was a tremendous success, reaching some 85,000 people. Depression strikes 17 million Americans each year, and less than half of them receive the treatment they need.

This is tragic because more than 80 percent of people with depression can be treated successfully with medication, psychotherapy or a combination of the two. Common symptoms include a persistent, sad, anxious or "empty" mood, difficulty sleeping, changes in appetite and loss of pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. Depressed people often have difficulty concentrating and may experience feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness and guilt. Some people have vague medical complaints like aches and pains that won 't go away, headaches, backaches and frequent stomach ailments. Many have thoughts of death or suicide.

This year, National Depression Screening Day will fee. on Thursday. Oct. 8. The program is free and totally anonymous.

No one asks for a name or makes any judgments. The clinicians and staff are there to help, educate and comfort. For those who may be experiencing symptoms of depression or know someone who is, please call the toll-free number that has been set up especially for my readers. It is 1-800-242-2211 (TTY for the hearing impaired is 1-800-855-2880). These numbers are See ANN LANDERS, Page 2B BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.

-Katie Koestner, outspoken date rape survivor and sexual assault prevention advocate, will speak Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 9:25 a.m. in the Lutz Yelton Convocation Center at Gardner-Webb University. Koestner has received international attention for speaking out against the crime of silence. In 1993, she completed a project with HBO, the Lifestories Docud-rama titled "No Visible Bruises: the Katie Koestner Story." Koestner has presented her acclaimed program to hundreds of thousands of students at over 500 colleges, high schools, and military institutions in nearly 50 states.

"Statistics say that there are at least 10 victims of sexual assault per school. Of those, only one in 10 reports the crime, one in 100 victims press charges and one in 1,000 actually wins the case," stated Koestner. Koestner is a date rape survivor who went public with her story after being sexually assaulted by a fellow student at William Kennedy Smith and Mike Tyson cases, helped to bring debate over the issue into the national spotlight. "I hear at least 10 stories a day from those who have encountered rape. I think sharing those experiences with others is a way to give the victim a feeling of validation of their ordeal.

It is a silent crime and I want the victims to know that there is support," notes Koestner. Her appearance on Capitol Hill with Congressman Jim Ranistad encouraged Congress, and later President George Bush, to pass the Victim's Bill of Rights into law in 1992. She has co-authored the book "Sexual Assault on Campus: (What Kvery College to Kiow AbojitPotecting Victims, Providing Tor Just Adjudication, and Complying with Federal Lawsi." a guidebook on model campus sexual assault policies, and "Total Sexual Assault Risk Management Strategies for Colleges." She has also contributed to an anthology on the history of the anti-sexual violence movement. This event is open to the public and is free of charge. For more information, contact T.J.

Hawkins at 704-434-4277. P'h' by Anjetson) 'Sleeping Beauty' opens Arts Council season The Columbia City Ballet will open the Cherokee County Arts Council's 1998-1999 season when its performs "Sleeping Beauty" on Tuesday, Sept. 29, in the newly-refurbished Fullerton Auditorium at Limestone College. Showtime is 8 p.m. Principal dancers in this classic ballet are Prima Ballerina Mariclare Miranda as Princess Aurora and Premier Danseur Serge Lavoir as Prince Charming.

William Start ett is the artistic director. the College of William and Mary. Giving a name and a face to date rape helped to humanize a crime that few ever spoke about. Her assault, followed quickly by the i.