The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Joplin Metro

Discussion

January 1, 2009

Teens bring in new year at The Bridge

By Kelsey Ryanand Ashley Peaches

news@joplinglobe.com

An estimated 1,000 area teenagers gathered Wednesday at The Bridge for the eighth annual Riot, a New Year’s Eve lock-in.

Teens could participate in a Halo 2 tournament, skating, basketball, dancing, BMX biking or a worship service at the event, which lasted from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday. Lindsay Matush, executive director of The Bridge, said the purpose was to provide a safe place for teens to party.

“I have a lot of friends that come, and it’s just really fun,” said Destiny Selsor, a sophomore at Carl Junction High School, who also attended the Riot last year.

“It’s better than going to a party. I like to hang out with my friends and listen to bands.”

Tickets cost $22 in advance and $24 at the door. Matush said the money from ticket sales paid for putting on the event, giveaways, a disc jockey and live bands, and will help support year-round events.

Live music was provided throughout the night by local bands. Not all of the music had a strictly Christian message.

“I’m trying to get my music out, and there’s no better way of doing that than playing in front of them live,” said Kyle Therrien, a Joplin resident who performed bubble-gum electro pop under the pseudonym Johnny Crash.

“I’m a Christian, but I try to portray it more in my person than I do my music,” he said. “The music helps attract people. They’ll see the real me when they come and talk to me. You’d figure a 21-year-old would have better things to do, but this is what I want to do, so here I am.”

Matush said the Riot got its start because New Year’s Eve is a “peak time for teens to engage in premarital sex, underage drinking and drug abuse.”

“It keeps us out of trouble, I guess,” said Shawn Sisseck, a junior at Jasper High School. “Usually, I like to ride, but I didn’t bring my bike, (so I’ll) just hang out and watch everyone else.”

When asked if he was going to go to the worship session that was available for teens, Sisseck said: “We’re thinking about it. We’re not sure yet. It’s just what everyone else wants to do, I guess.”

Teens could purchase food throughout the evening. Also available was a non-alcohol bar that provided “mixed” drinks with names like “With Blood Comes Cleansing” and “On Broken Wings.”

Teens were supervised by volunteers and staff members of The Bridge. Adults were posted at all entrances and exits to prevent teens from leaving early. Joplin police were on duty at the entrances.

“We just don’t take any chances because we’re dealing with (nearly) 1,000 other people’s kids,” Matush said.

Text Only
Joplin Metro
  • Ruby-Sapp-obit.jpg Longtime Democrat dies at 81

    Sapp, 81, died Thursday. Funeral services were Monday at the First Presbyterian Church of Joplin. A longtime Jasper County Democratic committeewoman and volunteer, Sapp for years was secretary to the county’s central committee.

    August 9, 2010 1 Photo

  • Motivational speaker offers free marriage course

    Presented by Mark Gungor, the course is being offered free to the community. The event is being held to aid in tornado relief. 

    January 12, 2012

  • District sends faculty, administrators on site visits

    With the design phase of several buildings in Joplin Schools ending in May, the district has sent 66 administration, faculty, parents and community members on site visits to 22 schools and two technology company headquarters across the country.

    January 11, 2012

  • 011012 Jop HS mural1_72.jpg Mural depicting Joplin High School dedicated

    A four-paneled mural depicting the recent history of Joplin High School was dedicated at the Memorial 9th- and 10th-grade Center Tuesday morning. The mural will be moved to the new high school when it is completed in 2014.

    January 10, 2012 4 Photos

  • Carl Junction chamber creating new committees

    The Carl Junction Chamber of Commerce is kicking off three new committees this week with meetings scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday.

    January 9, 2012

  • Body of missing Joplin man found

    The body of a missing Joplin man was discovered this afternoon inside his home in the Royal Heights neighborhood of Joplin.

    January 3, 2012

  • Wildcat Glades nature center receives $50,000 grant

    The Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center has received a $50,000 TogetherGreen Innovation Grant, which is being provided through an alliance between the National Audubon Society and Toyota.

    October 21, 2011

  • Joplin shooting victim’s name released

    The Joplin Police Department today released the name of a woman fatally shot in her home early Thursday and acknowledged that the shooting was reported as a suicide attempt.

    October 21, 2011

  • Barry Manilow to deliver donated instruments

    Singer-songwriter Barry Manilow will visit Joplin next week to donate more than $300,000 in musical instruments to replace those lost during the May 22 tornado.

    October 21, 2011

  • Extreme Makeover releases names of families

    "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" has released more details about the build in the 2400 block of Connor Avenue, including the names of the seven families. They are:

    October 19, 2011