Since 1997, I Sing the Body Electric have been using the arts as a way to help East Central Illinois’ youth to make healthy choices.

As part of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System, the program strives for prevention in unhealthy choices through three stages: a biennial Centers for Disease Control Youth Risk Behavior Survey; a project production, arts and health festival; and an arts and health tour.

“Through this [the surveys] we find out what are the top concerns of teens in East Central Illinois. Then we’ll present them with the data we found,” said Gaye Harrison, director of I Sing the Body Electric.

For example, 12.4 percent of respondents reported they had used methamphetamines in their lifetime in 2002 for East Central Illinois, roughly 3 percent higher than the national average. On the latest 2004 analysis however, meth use dropped among youth in East Central Illinois to 7.9 percent, more comparable to the 2003 national average.

From there, teens are assisted by university interns and art mentors to come up with an art form to convey a health issue. Youth performances are even committed to video through help from the WEIU university public television station.

“If someone wants to write and/or perform original music, we won’t give them a sound system, but will provide them with the funds they need to get guitar strings or the drum sticks,” Harrison said.

Eastern alumnus Scott Krebsbach was a graduate assistant for the program from Fall ’05 to Spring ’06, and was in charge of arranging art tours and surveys with the school in the seven-county region and scheduling interns for their participation in those tours and surveys.

Kresbach, who received his master’s in communication studies, said Electric has helped him in being more comfortable working with students and it was important to learn their thoughts in regards to issues that affect them in school such as alcohol, drugs, body image, etc.

“It is a great program and a wonderful experience for any college student who is looking for a paid internship experience,” Kresbach said. “I would encourage anyone that is attending EIU to get involved. It would be a great item to have on your resume and gives you wonderful experience with students in the region of all ages.”

I Sing intern and Eastern student Alana Tamkin is going to be involved with the program for another semester and a half, and among other things, talks with the students on the problems they face on a daily basis.

“The program has helped me grow as a person and opened my eyes to what other people may have to face without having a choice,” Tamkin said.

Harrison, who just returned from meeting with Laura Bush in Indianapolis to discuss more innovative ways to carry out I Sing’s projects, is getting the recognition she deserves.

“Gaye has done a phenomenal job. Gaye has such a passion for making a lasting impression on our youth,” said Kim Uphoff, director of Planning and Healthy Communities at Sarah Bush Lincoln.