During October’s Red Ribbon Week, Makin’ It Happen brought together high school students, faculty, and youth-serving organizations across the Greater Manchester region for an impactful day of education, engagement, and empowerment. Red Ribbon Week, the national campaign for substance use prevention, carried the theme “Life Is A Movie: Film Drug-Free,” and our event was packed with presentations, discussions, and activities to promote that mission!
The day started with an opening from our keynote presenter, Nigel Wrangham, and proceeded into a split seminar: students participated in an empowering presentation from Nigel, while adults engaged in a presentation from Makin’ It Happen staff about opportunities for prevention trainings and faculty/student involvement.
After lunch, a panel made up of select faculty members from both middle and high schools answered questions student-submitted questions about vaping policies and prevention within their schools. Some topics included were: penalties for being caught vaping, approaches taken for students who are routinely engaging in vaping on school grounds, and what educational aspects can be implemented for preventative efforts.
To wrap up, students heard from Makin’ It Happen staff about ways they can get involved in trainings and opportunities to make the differences they asked about within their panel. One of which was Makin’ It Happen’s Vaping Awareness Presentation that students can learn to present to younger students in elementary/middle schools! The day closed with the students taking on the big screen in an exclusive showing of their student-made videos! Each video focused on what students wish they knew and could tell their younger selves for staying substance free in high school. Hearing the similarities and differences for the advice students had for choosing to say “no” to substance use was truly moving and impactful!
Thank you to all who participated and made this day happen: Tony Caparo III- State Farm Agent for the table sponsorship, Nigel Wrangham for the keynote presentation, and students/faculty/youth-serving organizations who showed up to make a difference. For a glimpse into all of the fun and to view the student-made videos, please click here to follow our social media!
For more about this presentation, click here!
