"For a person to be successful, he or she should go after what they want in life," says Stedham Graham, author of Teens Can Make it Happen which is a handbook for teens on the nine steps to success in life. "I feel that when one uses the 9 steps, he or she will be able to clarify the clutter and discover what his or her passion is and remain focused on it." When Mr. Graham refers to "clutter", he is speaking about the distractions of ordinary life from television, to social pressures to home difficulties.
             "With a higher high school drop out rate then ever before, more jails being built, and the divorce rate climbing to 67%," says Mr. Graham, "Teens need a strong support system to help them through difficult times. This system can be your family, your school or your community." Stedham Graham feels strongly that teens will be able to learn through his handbook that there is a process to success and a support system is essential. "Believing in yourself," is the first step according to Mr. Graham, "If you have confidence, you can do anything you want." On achieving this confidence, he said that the key was practice, studying, and support. "No one can be successful unless they obtain the tools to get them there. With these tools comes confidence," says Graham.
             "A vision for success is a necessity," according to Graham, "If you start with a passion, your interests can change, but as long as you maintain a passion for what you believe in, you will be successful." Mr. Graham believes that if every teen worked hard for something they were passionate about, teens would be less susceptible to drugs and alcohol. 'If you are focused on something; you eliminate these distractions," says Graham.
             When asked what he believed truly defined "success," he replied, "I think everyone has their own definition of what succ...