The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter BAHAMIAN Entertainer Tracey Ann Perpall (TAP) is hosting a four hour seminar to encourage young women to discover their self-worth. The sketch comedy artist said the overall goal of Thursday's seminar, which targets 80 twelfth grade students from CC Sweeting Senior High, is to help the young women progress in their personal lives and the community by making smart choices for the future. Under the theme "Tap into Your Future," there will be various speakers present at the event to interactively address the issues of Domestic Violence, Healthy Relationships, Self Worth, Goal Setting and Career Preparedness. Tracey, the women behind TAP VLogs, became an online sensation with her debut video blog, "TAP says, Can you tell me how to get to Shaniqua Avenue?". The episode racked up 63,000 YouTube views, and counting. She said the idea of the seminar came about after becoming emotionally touched by the high rate of domestic violence. After realising her fan base consisted of mostly women, she decided to reach out to her base. "I feel like it is important that if you are in the public's eye in any way, you should make sure that you are having a good and positive influence." Last year, 17 year old Courtney McKenzie of Moss Town, Exuma, was stabbed to death. At the time, Police said the suspect was an ex-boyfriend of the victim. Twenty seven year old Onieka Johnson was murdered just 48 hours after. "The young girl Courtney actually use to attend my church at some point. I find that in our country, people talk about these things, you see them in the news, but no one does anything. I don't believe in sitting down to complain about it, and the next day you go about your daily life," said Tracey. "I felt like I needed to do something in my community to help these young women from getting in these abusive relationships and make better decisions, and that is where I got the idea of the seminar," she said. If she can impact just one person from the seminar, she said that could mean one less woman becoming a victim of domestic violence. "I know people may look at it and say it is only 80 students but it only takes a spark to get a fire going and I really believe in that philosophy," said Tracey. The speakers for Thursday's event include motivational speaker and aspiring clinical psychologist, Patricia Clarke, who will be addressing the topic of self worth. Donna Nicolls, Crisis Centre counselor will be speaking on domestic violence and healthy relationships. Stevania Beneby, from Operation Rescue Bahamas, will share her personal account of domestic violence. "I have been planning this since last year August. I find that when you're not known, people can be a little hesitant to help you. I called a number of places and I would get the question "what organization are you with." And I am just a normal person trying to make a difference in my community," said Tracey.