Youth attend prevention events

Submitted by Linda Hartung, Prevention Specialist

Five local high school students received scholarships to attend this year’s Youth Spring Prevention Summit held at Great Wolf Lodge (GWL) north of Centralia on May 15 and 16. Shanna Havens, Eva-Mari Vik, Megan Thompson, Kylee Thomason and Breanna Smith competed against 41 other teams as they shared their prevention program, Prevention Boot Camp. Other teams gave them scores on merits of innovation, impact, sustainability, collaboration and partnership. At GWL, Wahkiakum’s team won the first round of competition with scores better than five other teams. The WHS team was one of seven that competed in front of 320 youth for the grand prize. They placed fourth, competing against teams from across Washington State. Miss Washington, Mandy Schendel and leadership trainer Al Duncan presented each team with their awards.

In the audience were state Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Chris Imhoff, Director of the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery. These two agencies provided the scholarships for our students to attend.

The team’s prevention initiative was this year’s Youth Mobilization Campaign Prevention Boot Camp that was held May 5-7 with 28 eighth graders in attendance. Participants spent three days and two nights in the middle of Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This transitional event was planned by high school students Shanna, Eva-Mari, Megan, Kylee, Breanna, Ethan Cothren, Zach Calvert and Keith Reitz.

At camp, Cathlamet EMT David Doumit provided all with first aid services. David was a hit with everyone and even participated on the high ropes challenge course thirty feet above ground. Students especially liked Paul Johns’ programs that kept them singing and laughing. Jeff Rooklidge instructed them on how to get good grades when they enter high school. Lisa Frink held a media literacy workshop about the ways Big Business compels us to purchase their products. She also served as a chaperone for the girls’ dorm. Darryl Tonemah, a leadership trainer/singer/writer/actor, presented the eighth graders with tools to survive and thrive in high school.

Wahkiakum Health & Human Services, Wahkiakum High School and Wahkiakum Community Network collaborate to provide funding for Prevention Boot Camp.