Going to Ireland is Great, but Being a Yell Leader is Better!

DR. WALLACE: I think I've already made up my mind, but I'd still like to hear what you have to say. I'll be in the 11th grade in September and will be a varsity yell leader. We had tryouts in February and I did really well -- I was selected by a vote of the student body.

Four new yell leaders were chosen and I had the second-most votes. All yell leaders, new and old, are required to go to a cheerleading camp this summer and practice as the entire squad every weekday for two hours. It takes a lot of practice to function as a unit.

I also have an opportunity to visit Ireland this summer. I was invited to go with my friend and her family; her parents were born there. All my expenses would be paid. I want to go to Ireland, but I also want to be a yell leader. What should I do? My parents want me to go to Ireland because they believe it would be much more educational. I'm leaning toward staying home and doing my best to become a good yell leader. -- Kim, Boston.

 KIM: This is one of those tough decisions life presents us, but you should listen to your inner voice, which is telling you to go to cheerleading camp this summer, not Ireland. It's a great honor to be selected by the student body to lead the cheering section. I think you'd feel bad for a long time if you let your supporters down by choosing "the better offer" that came along. Work hard and become a great yell leader.

You have the rest of your life to visit Ireland. But make sure you do visit the Emerald Isle. It's one of the more beautiful countries. TRUST YOUR GIRLFRIEND

TEEN WANTS ADVICE ON QUITTING SMOKING

DR. WALLACE: I'm planning to quit smoking next week on my 19th birthday. I've smoked over a pack a day for five years. I'm quitting for three reasons. First, the girl I'm dating wants me to quit smoking. Second, I'm starting to exercise and get my body in shape, both inside and outside. Finally, I want to put my hard-earned money to better use than letting it go up in smoke.

I think I can stop smoking cold turkey. I've been told I should hold onto my unused cigarettes just to prove I can look at them and know I can have a smoke if I want (but I won't). But my girlfriend said when her father quit, he got rid of all his cigarettes, lighters, ashtrays and anything else that reminded him of smoking. What do you think? -- Joe, McComb, Miss.

JOE: Trust your girlfriend. Your best bet is to remove all temptation to smoke. Get rid of all your cigarettes, including any that are stashed in your pockets, the cupboard, the car or your workplace. Toss out all lighters and ashtrays as well. In other words, rid your life of the bad habit entirely and make a fresh start. This is the advice of the American Lung Association

Congratulations on your life-changing decision. Make sure you spend a little bit of the money you will save on your very wise girlfriend.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at rwallace@galesburg.net. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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