Pictured from left: Teams from Chief Umtuch and Tukes Valley middle schools present to their peers at a statewide event
Tukes Valley, Chief Umtuch middle schools on the stage at the 2024 Spring Youth Forum
Two Battle Ground middle schools earned invitations to the 2024 Washington State Spring Youth Forum in May. Tukes Valley and Chief Umtuch middle schools’ DREAM Teams demonstrated their public speaking and leadership skills as they gave formal presentations about their efforts to foster health and well-being among their peers. They were joined at the forum by approximately 40 teams from other schools (mostly high schools), all working to improve outcomes for Washington state youth.
TVM students, who are in their first year as a DREAM Team, presented a project titled Prevention Bingo. This activity was aimed at promoting nicotine prevention and encouraging a drug-free lifestyle among students. Bingo cards featured key prevention words, and the school’s daily morning announcements shared corresponding prevention facts.
Chief’s team, which won the grand prize at the 2023 forum, organized a drive-in movie event to raise awareness about vaping and promote positive peer norms. By featuring the movie “Soul,” they tied the movie’s theme of finding one’s purpose into their efforts to encourage connection through pro-social opportunities that prevent risky behaviors.
The teams were judged on their innovation, sustainability, impact, presentation style, professionalism, collaboration and partnerships.
In the end, TVM’s team tied for third place out of all the teams. Congratulations to Jocelyn Curry, Seth Kent, Ella Kohlenberger, Alexis Mesecher, Levi Sandstrom and Rex Wing, as well as their advisers Blake Bowers, Linda Korum and Felisha Sandberg.
Nathan Funaki, Lucas Goranson, Avery Popkes-Perez, Dexter Richins, Haley Smith and Nicole Terry represented CMS. Jen Palmer and Jason Staley are their advisers.
DREAM Teams are the youth extension of the Prevent Together: Battle Ground Prevention Alliance. These youth leaders are focused on empowering their peers to live drug-free lives and engaging in honest conversations about drugs, alcohol and coping with stress or depression.