Keith Deltano's message about virginity and the risks of teenage sex drew cheers, laughs and gasps Wednesday among Thornton Fractional North High School freshmen and sophomores.
"You never see anyone sing about pregnancy or rap about changing a diaper," the educational comedian said in regards to teens getting the truth about sex from TV or magazines.
Deltano, who is based in North Carolina, talked to students about diseases that can be contracted even when a condom is used, and the differences between failure rate in a one-time clinical setting and in real life. Teens never think it can happen to them, he said, but a 90 percent accuracy rate on a test for English class is not the same as a 90 percent reduced risk of contracting a disease.
To illustrate, a volunteer lied on a table as Deltano held a cinder block over the student's midsection.
Deltano asked the volunteer to pick a number, and if an audience member picked the same one, the comedian would drop the cinder block.
Freshman Tanisha Jones said the demonstration was a good way to illustrate what Deltano was trying to say.
"Most people don't listen to percentages," she said, adding that having a comedian come to the school was more fun than "being lectured all the time."
Deltano, who also spoke to seniors and juniors at a separate assembly, and conducted a parent workshop in the evening, said he wasn't trying to say that sex is bad or shameful, but that teenagers should wait until they can handle the risks and responsibilities that come along with it.
"Sex is a good thing when you have an education, when you've got a job, when you've moved out of Ma's house," he said, adding those who are sexually active should talk to their school nurse and parents and get tested.
Freshman Darious Cosby found Deltano's message "inspiring."
"I've been doing the right thing," he said. "I don't got nothing to worry about. But he gave me the head's up on what I should be doing in the future, to be calm about it and just have patience."




