Teenagers: Just when you think you have them figured out …
Psychologist Craig Knippenberg provided welcome reassurance, and valuable advice, about the twists and turns going on in a teenager’s head when he spoke at a luncheon that raised $55,000 for Smart-Girl, a Denver-based nonprofit dedicated to helping middle school-aged girls make smart choices and develop the confidence that will enable them to become self-reliant women.
“Brain changes during adolescence are nearly as expansive as they are during infancy,” Knippenberg explained. “Kids may appear grown up, but they lack the ability to make the best decisions. Many of the traits that drive us crazy — impulsivity, emotional overdrive, shirking responsibility, risky behavior — all reflect normal development in teens’ brains.”
Knippenberg is one of Colorado’s foremost authorities on child and adolescent psychology and development. He lectures nationally, consults with St. Anne’s Episcopal School and Denver Academy and maintains a private practice.
Belina Fruitman and Elizabeth Yanish Shwayder chaired the event that brought a mostly female crowd of 350 to Infinity Park Events Center. “My 13-year-old daughter participated in Smart-Girl Leadership Summer Camp the last two summers, and I was incredibly impressed with the program,” Fruitman said of her involvement.
Guests included John Arigoni, president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver; Annabel Bowlen; Joey Mosko; Sue Allon; Anne Hanson; Kim Bolt; Debra McKenney; Marea Evans; Cindy Friedland; Robin Jobe; Ana Kemp; Louise Atkinson; Texie Lowery; Cheryl Schaden; Katie Reinisch; Pamela O’Neal; Nancy Sevo; Sally Rogers; Jane Tobias; Sue Seserman and Sally Scott.
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Beta Rho Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority is having its 47th Debutante Ball at 5 p.m. today at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center; Millacyant Boldin, Chenai DeBerry, Aujunay Domingo, Kenniese Franklin, Courtnee Jackson, Shauna Marie Pierre-Louis, Rayonna Purvis, Shamika Quinnie, Bryaunna Rice, Brittany Thorne and Nicole Tuck will curtsy at the dinner ceremony … The Owl Club of Denver, meanwhile, will present 26 recent high school graduates at its 60th Debutante Ball taking place June 4 at the Marriott City Center. Reginald Norman and Ron Washington are the chairmen … Frank Abagnale, whose life on the lam is told in the Tony-nominated musical “Catch Me If You Can,” is the speaker for a June 8 fundraising dinner put on by the Volunteers of America Guild. Dianne Eddolls, Diana Murdy, Mary Rossick Kern and Victoria Frank are the co-chairs; the $250 tickets can be purchased from Michael James, 303-297-0408 … On June 9, all four metro-area California Pizza Kitchens will be donating 20 percent of all food and beverage sales to Warren Village for its efforts to help low-income single-parent families get back on their feet.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
