Teens raise dating violence awareness

Brien McMahon's Meghan Ripperger, center, gathers with students as the Stamford Mayor's Youth Leadership Council, Norwalk's Center for Youth Leadership, and Greenwich's YWCA host a press conference recognizing National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month at the Government Center in Stamford, Conn., February 1, 2012. Photo: Keelin Daly / Stamford Advocate

Brien McMahon's Meghan Ripperger, left, Stamford High's Holly Matura and Stamford High's Maryna Lupul gather as the Stamford Mayor's Youth Leadership Council, Norwalk's Center for Youth Leadership, and Greenwich's YWCA host a press conference recognizing National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month at the Government Center in Stamford, Conn., February 1, 2012. Photo: Keelin Daly / Stamford Advocate

Brien McMahon's Azia Bunn listens as the Stamford Mayor's Youth Leadership Council, Norwalk's Center for Youth Leadership, and Greenwich's YWCA host a press conference recognizing National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month at the Government Center in Stamford, Conn., February 1, 2012. Photo: Keelin Daly / Stamford Advocate

The Stamford Mayor's Youth Leadership Council, Norwalk's Center for Youth Leadership, and Greenwich's YWCA host a press conference recognizing National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month at the Government Center in Stamford, Conn., February 1, 2012. Photo: Keelin Daly / Stamford Advocate

Greenwich High's Ava Iannitti gathers with area students as the Stamford Mayor's Youth Leadership Council, Norwalk's Center for Youth Leadership, and Greenwich's YWCA host a press conference recognizing National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month at the Government Center in Stamford, Conn., February 1, 2012. Photo: Keelin Daly / Stamford Advocate

Greenwich High's Ava Iannitti gathers with area students as the Stamford Mayor's Youth Leadership Council, Norwalk's Center for Youth Leadership, and Greenwich's YWCA host a press conference recognizing National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month at the Government Center in Stamford, Conn., February 1, 2012. Photo: Keelin Daly / Stamford Advocate

Stamford High School's Margaret Simpson serves as emcee as the Stamford Mayor's Youth Leadership Council, Norwalk's Center for Youth Leadership, and Greenwich's YWCA host a press conference recognizing National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month at the Government Center in Stamford, Conn., February 1, 2012. Photo: Keelin Daly / Stamford Advocate

State Rep. Gerry Fox takes the stage as the Stamford Mayor's Youth Leadership Council, Norwalk's Center for Youth Leadership, and Greenwich's YWCA host a press conference recognizing National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month at the Government Center in Stamford, Conn., February 1, 2012. Photo: Keelin Daly / Stamford Advocate

Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia, Stamford Mayor Michael Pavia, State Rep. Gail Lavielle, Greenwich Police Chief James Heavey and Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health Dr. Jewel Mullen listen as the Stamford Mayor's Youth Leadership Council, Norwalk's Center for Youth Leadership, and Greenwich's YWCA host a press conference recognizing National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month at the Government Center in Stamford, Conn., February 1, 2012. Photo: Keelin Daly / Stamford Advocate