Two Battle Ground middle schools earned invitations to the 2024 Washington State Spring Youth Forum in May. Chief’s DREAM Team, along with the team from Tukes Valley Middle School, 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.
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.
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.