March 10 will be a day to remember for Friday Harbor teens. Thank you to United Way for their continued support of our island youth through the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition.
More than 100 teens in grades 8-10 joined in for a full-day Leadership Summit to enhance leadership skills they can directly apply in their lives. Ten teen leaders from grades 11-12, who had received special facilitation training with Cynthia Stark-Wickman, San Juan Island Prevention Coalition director, created the theme for the day, “Unity in Community,” and guided their younger peers through the day.
An exciting combination of hands-on educational opportunities kept teens creatively challenged while discovering more about their natural leadership talents. Teens began the day with lively activities by Kenya (leader of Feel The Power of the Drum), building community among the group. Working in small groups for greater intimacy, teams then moved through three workshop sessions.
Teens created music together with Kenya, having the chance to courageously “orchestrate” the group themselves. Led by Cynthia, Steve Gresham (San Juan County Health) and Kiara McLaughlin (Prevention Coalition), teens participated in an active simulation to better understand brain patterning and how brain communication is hindered when using substances.
Teens discovered through “Challenge” team-building activities, facilitated by me and Susan Williamson, how they can help each other through obstacles of life to reach their dreams. All joined with the rest of the student body for an inspiring school community drumming experience with Kenya. A few brave teens seized the opportunity to lead the entire school during this drumming fest.
Most importantly, the final experience, creating a Dream Gallery, gave teens the chance to pour forth their personal, school, community and global dreams with each other, with the chance to consider how they want to immediately apply their new leadership skills. This vital work will be the foundation of future teens activities here on San Juan Island.
A memorable slideshow of the day’s events by Debbie Fincher, parent volunteer, left the students inspired by their choice to be a part of their empowering day of their lives.
Please join the San Juan Island Prevention Coalition, Friday Harbor Middle School and Friday Harbor High School in thanking United Way for helping support our island become outstanding leaders for our island community and beyond.
Alice Hibberd
Challenge coordinator
San Juan Island Prevention Coalition
