‘Positive Force Tour’ to entertain area youth with hip-hop flavor

 The Positive Force Tour (PFT inc.) is a unique high-energy 75 min. musical program of singing, dancing, dramatic skits and testimonials delivering a message of hope and direction to school kids all over the country. International recording artist Patsy Torres and her 16-member cast will perform on Feb. 11, starting at 12:45 p.m. at Coastal Bend College in Beeville for TRiO Day.

 The troupe captivates their audience with state of the art “concert” sound and light equipment, special effects and the latest in pop music, dance moves and fashion as they educate students on the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse, gangs, suicide, teen pregnancy, dropping out, peer pressure and low self esteem. Their message is delivered in a hip and down to earth style teens can relate to.

 PFT has been touring and changing lives for over 12 years. The show was originally developed to meet the needs of the youth of San Antonio. “After seeing the concert, students were approaching their counselors and asking for more information, admitting they were on drugs, quitting gangs, staying in school, picking up their grades, and improving their self-images,” Torrez said. “When word spread about the success nad the effect the concert had on its audiences, the show was requested in neighboring cities and towns.”

Today, simply by word of mouth, PFT has been invited to schools all over the country. At a time when teens seem to be so unreachable, PFT is bridging the gap and making a positive difference in their lives –- a positive force.

TRiO Day, celebrated in Beeville on Feb. 11, starting at 9:30 a.m., is a nationwide annual celebration that recognizes the value of the federally-funded TRiO Programs and the successes of their students. The TRiO Programs are educational opportunity outreach programs designed to help low-income families,  those of whom neither parent has graduated from college, and/or American students who are the first generation to enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in America’s economic and social life. The program also provides information on pre-college opportunities. Approximately 240 students and staff members from Coastal Bend College and area high schools will participate in workshops highlighting career opportunities and other relevant student issues.

  Through TRiO, our nation is committed to providing educational opportunities for all Americans regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, age or disability. Over 2,800 TRiO Programs currently serve nearly 850,000 Americans. Thirty-seven percent of TRiO students are White, 35 percent are African-American, 19 percent are Hispanic, 4 percent are Native American, 4 percent are Asian and 1 percent of participants nationwide is listed as “Other,” including multiracial students. More than 7,000 students with disabilities and approximately 6,000 U.S. veterans are currently enrolled in TRiO programs as well.

  TRiO programs have been in existence at Coastal Bend College since the mid-1970s. The three programs housed at Coastal Bend College are two Educational Talent Search Programs (Beeville and Alice); two Upward Bound Programs (Beeville) and a Student Support Service Program (Beeville).

 For more information on the TRiO Programs, call:

Educational Talent Search Program (CBC Beeville Campus):  (361) 354-2706

Upward Bound Program (CBC Beeville Campus): (361) 354-2715

Upward Bound G.O.S.T Program (CBC Beeville Campus): (361)354-2746

Student Support Services (CBC Beeville Campus): (361)354-2718

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