PHOTO BY KATHY LEIGH BERKOWITZ


Call them "conscientious objectors," but Charlee Lutton and Gabrielle Kennedy, both 12 years old, decided to opt out of the Fear Factor. But they had much fun watching those who took the challenge, smiling from the side of the room.

PHOTO BY KATHY LEIGH BERKOWITZ


Elizabeth and Samantha Bonner cringe as the countdown for "round 2" begins.

PHOTO BY KATHY LEIGH BERKOWITZ


Rebecca O'Connor waits for the signal for "round 2."

PHOTO BY KATHY LEIGH BERKOWITZ


Daija Smith (12) and Rebecca O'Connor (15), study the first challenge carefully. The cup resembled thick pea soup, and drew gasps from a few of the teens, who were presented with "barf bags" before the challenge started, just in case.

PHOTO BY KATHY LEIGH BERKOWITZ


Meet those in the first exodus to hurry for the library door to the outside. All appear to be getting ready to "hurl," as teens call it, after "round 1," the cup of mystery green soupy stuff. They returned to the room a few minutes later, laughing.

PHOTO BY KATHY LEIGH BERKOWITZ


While others participated in the Fear Factor, these young people played the Magic game at a nearby table. David Foskey, 21, had just given them advice on moves. Jafus Taylor is at the left, and Charles Reid, at the right. Both young men are 17 years old.

PHOTO BY KATHY LEIGH BERKOWITZ


These library volunteers mix up the concoctions for the 2012 Teen Food Fear Factor, courtesy of Lake Wales Library. The object? To get through three rounds without up-chucking the contents of the dish you were given.

PHOTO BY KATHY LEIGH BERKOWITZ


Dawn Copple, who works at the Lake Wales Library, sets the 3-minute timer and gives the instructions. Teens had 3 minutes in each round to eat, sip, slurp, or otherwise consume the content of the cup or bowl they were given. "Everything we are giving you is edible," she said, noting that each teen was given a "barf bag," but "if you can, please make it to the door." Those who hurled or left the room were not advanced to the final round. A gift certificate for $15 at Walmart was presented as the grand prize.

PHOTO BY KATHY LEIGH BERKOWITZ


Emily Weech is not so sure about the pink stuff in the bowl presented during round two.