"You are worth it!" was the message delivered at the 2008 Abstinence Tea, where more than 200 girls were challenged to choose sexual purity until they are married.

An intensely motivational Gwendolyn Poteat shared her personal story of being a teen mom, her struggles and her successes, during the two separate teas, held Wednesday at the Cherokee County Community Building.

Sixth- through eighth-grade girls were treated to entertainment, snacks, colorfully decorated tables, gifts -- and a dose of reality.

More than 70 teens are pregnant in Tahlequah today, not including those who attend rural schools.

"We have an epidemic of unplanned pregnancy with girls as young as eighth grade," said Elizabeth Moon, event coordinator.

Sandra Dearborn, with Help-In-Crisis, quoted statistics given by Tahlequah Superintendent Paul Hurst at a recent meeting.

"There are 72 known pregnancies," Dearborn said. "Who knows how many more didn't know they were pregnant that day or have had abortions? I just want to not see 13-year-olds at the Pregnancy Center."

Statistics show girls who make the pledge to delay sexual activity until marriage are more likely to keep that commitment, Moon said.

Experts are beginning to realize that a combination of abstinence education for girls, and knowledge about protecting themselves physically and emotionally, generously mixed with character-building and self-confidence-boosting programs, are the most effective.

"Today's event offers a positive and hopeful choice for the girls for their future," Dearborn said. "The hurtful past can be changed by wise choices."

Poteat, a pregnancy prevention spokeswoman, told the group that when she realized she was pregnant at 17 and the baby's father took off, she recognized her life was a mess -- and it would be a mess for her baby because of bad decisions. She got an education and began making decisions outside of her fears.

"I let go of the anger, fear and bitterness and learned I had a choice to not lash out in anger," Poteat said. "I began meeting people who really cared and wanted to help me. And didn't have an agenda or want something from me. I learned I had control over the decisions I make. I realized I could be a victim or a victor."

Poteat married, and her husband was in the military. She's traveled the world, seeing and learning a lot.

"Bad things happen to us and sometimes you make bad decisions," she said, "but wherever you are today, you can make a choice, be a part of our victor team."

She also used her daughter as an example.