Final answer:
Sharon can refuse the party invitation politely by expressing gratitude for the invite, clarifying her stance on not drinking, and suggesting alternative ways to socialize. This allows her to maintain her values while remaining open to friendships.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Sharon is invited to a party with beer and other activities she believes are wrong, she faces a difficult situation. It's important that she maintains her personal values while also trying to develop new friendships. Here's how she can approach it:
- Understand what she's being asked to do: Attend a party with alcohol and possibly other illegal substances.
- Label the request: Since Sharon is in high school, providing alcohol to minors is illegal and potentially dangerous.
- Consider the social networking consequences: Participation could jeopardize future opportunities, like college admissions, and getting caught could result in legal trouble or school disciplinary action.
- Communicate her refusal: She could say, 'Thank you for the invite, but I don't drink. I'd love to hang out another time though!'
- Say no firmly but politely, showing openness to other types of socializing.
By doing so, Sharon can set her boundaries without alienating potential friends, positioning herself to find like-minded individuals who respect her choices.