Local teens attend state preservation summit
Published 7:30 am Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Submitted by Debbi Fincher
Rock Solid Team Youth Advisor, Prevention Coalition
A group of local teens, their adult team advisors and chaperones made the annual trip to Yakima for the Washington State Prevention Summit. Youth teams from San Juan Island are sponsored with grants through the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition. The teams were Rock Solid and H.O.T.S., Jr. (Helping Out Teens Society at Friday Harbor Middle School), which together included four seventh graders, an eighth grader, a ninth grader and an 11th grader.
More than 400 students from across the state joined forces to learn about the world of prevention and gain new leadership skills. These teens were tasked with returning to their communities and putting together a project in prevention. This is where the real work begins. Help support these youth as they work to create positive change in the community and schools.
“It really was a pleasure to see so many young people open their minds to prevention,” said Chiara Power, a ninth-grade student at Friday Harbor High School, about the two-day summit. “They all were there for a reason and they all made it count. They sat through a four-hour lecture and paid attention, took notes and, most importantly, took it to heart. We had up to five lectures in a row and I was amazed how everyone stayed engaged and focused because they knew it was for us. To see people do that really restored some faith about our generation. It was an amazing experience and I hope I get to go to another one,” said Power.
“The prevention summit covers many topics from depression to gambling, but I particularly liked the one called Leadership 201: Written Communication,” said Zach Fincher, a junior at Friday Harbor High School. “I gained new insights and sharpened my skill set through the power of the written word. These are skills I can use now and will help me as I plan my future.”
This was Zach’s sixth year attending the prevention summit. Luke Fincher, Zach’s younger brother and seventh grader at Friday Harbor Middle School, made the trip for the first time.
“I learned that one in eight adolescents in Washington reported being depressed,” said Luke. “I learned ways I can help others struggling with depression and to break the silence around talking about youth suicide.”
Not only do the youth have these powerful learning moments at the summit, but the adult chaperones and team advisors share similar sentiments.
“I feel much more connected to our goals as a coalition, having the opportunity to experience the summit firsthand,” said Cindy Gutierrez, a San Juan Island Prevention Coalition trustee. “I learned something new in each workshop, but honestly, I mostly enjoyed being with the kids and soaking up their enthusiasm. I hope to attend more conferences in the future. I understand more of our mission now!”
“Navigate Your Future” was this year’s theme. The Prevention Coalition is grateful to the prevention workforce in Washington that collaborates and organizes such meaningful, enriching and culturally appropriate training and networking opportunities for youth, volunteers and professionals who are working to prevent substance abuse, violence and other destructive behaviors in their communities. The summit also integrates prevention efforts with primary health care and mental health promotion.
The San Juan Island Prevention Coalition mission is to reduce substance abuse in youth and to create a community culture supporting healthy choices and responsible behaviors in youth and adults. Executive Coordinator Cynthia Stark-Wickman is instrumental in pulling together these funds, often writing grants, to support youth leadership training, a hallmark of our SJIPC efforts since 2004. Watch for good things to come from this experience and these youth, as they share the power of prevention in their upcoming projects. Thank you for supporting these teens and the mission of the SJIPC. Here’s to a healthy 2017!
Support local youth and take the annual community survey created by the state. This anonymous survey is part of SJIPC state funding requirements and helps guide future planning for prevention programming.
Online Survey in English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SASAON2016
Online Survey in Spanish: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/SASASP2016
