BOOT CAMP YOUTHS HEAR OF HARD LIFE

Students Are Told To Stay In School, Mind Their Elders

Through stories of their lives in prison, a half-dozen convicted felons
conveyed a simple message to about 300 youths yesterday: learn from their
mistakes, stay in school and listen to your parents.

The four men and two women -- who said they robbed stores, trafficked in
drugs and committed a host of other crimes -- shared their experiences
during a mini-boot camp yesterday at Central High School.

It was the third boot camp organized by Louisville police Officer Jacqueline
Hollingsworth that attempts to teach young people the consequences of their
actions.

Hollingsworth said she had help from nearly 50 volunteers, including those
from area law enforcement agencies and the Kentucky Army National Guard.

''We try to touch on all things and show them all the things they shouldn't
do,'' Hollingsworth said.

The boys and girls, ages 5 to 19, learned about the dangers of drugs and
unprotected sex and spent time connecting with mentors. They were put
through military drills. And they listened to the stories being told by the
prisoners.

''I sold dope for years . . . I never lived my life right,'' Kenneth
Anderson, 36, told the youngsters. Anderson, wearing an orange jumpsuit,
said he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for selling cocaine.

''Every day you come out the door, you can use your mind. You can use it the
right way or you can use it in the wrong way,'' Anderson said.

Susan Wornall, who spent three years at the Kentucky Correctional
Institution for Women on robbery and drug convictions before she was paroled
last week, told the children she robbed stores to feed her addiction to
pills and cocaine.

''This ain't no joke,'' Wornall, 36, said.

The felons told the youths to respect and listen to their elders and said
that showing disrespect is a sign that they're already headed on the wrong
path.

''We don't want to end up in jail,'' said Chloe Pinchbeck, 12, who attends
Brown School.

''Sometimes when I get frustrated I yell at my granny,'' said Pinchbeck, who
promised to show more respect.

Siera Pereira, Pinchbeck's classmate, agreed: ''I have to talk to my parents
right, not get so angry over something petty and follow rules,'' she said.

Pfc. Anthony Harned, 21, a member of the Army National Guard who recently
returned from duty in Bosnia, taught youths maneuvers and answered questions
about the military.

Harned said the youths need to realize ''they do have it good, and they can
make a future.''