Snoqualmie Valley Community Network Partners with Area Youth Councils Inspiring Teens to “Be the Change”
By: Leanne Christensen, SVCN
Photo: Artwork by Youth Council members. Photos taken at the Be The Change Conference held in Twin Falls Middle School
During this inspiring leadership event, students had the opportunity to hear from Key Facilitator, Nigel Wrangham, take part in roll playing leadership activities, and to participate in breakout sessions, where they heard from other youth leaders and community members on imposing topics such as:
- Internet Safety
- The Media and You
- Prescription Drug Abuse
- Reaching Out for Help
- Respect and Diversity
- Stress Management
- Suicide Prevention
- and You and Your Brain…
Key Facilitator, Nigel Wrangham has been a leader and innovator in the teaching, training and substance abuse prevention fields since 1990. He is known for his dynamic, interactive style and for incorporating new and exciting team-building activities into his leadership training events.
During Nigel’s presentation he encouraged the teens to share their “biggest challenges” and their “biggest dreams”. Students openly expressed and discussed the following list of challenges in their lives…
- not being accepted
- feeling judged
- peer pressure
- bullying issues
- pollution in our communities
- drugs and their influence
- needing more opportunities for their voice to be heard
Then students one by one stated some of their greatest dreams…
- being accepted to a good college
- making a positive difference
- being accepted by their peers
- going on a missions trip to help others
- standing up for what is right
- spread awareness
For many of the adults participating in the day’s events this particular discussion was extremely inspiring. SVCN Executive Director, Laura Smith shares: “There’s nothing more inspiring than being in a room filled with teens, such honesty, such hope, such promise. I truly hope adults in the valley will look for meaningful ways to listen and respond to the youth voice. It is incredibly valuable.”
The Snoqualmie Valley Community Network, would like to thank its Board of Directors for their support of this event, and Nigel Wrangham for his continued dedication in helping our student and adult community leaders create, implement and promote safe and healthy behaviors for all families. His passion, knowledge and experience are key to the success of events such as this.
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