By DALE HOGG
Barton County Media Consultant
Five Barton County Youth Crew members recently attended the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) Mid-Year Training Institute in Nashville, Tenn.
For the students, it was an opportunity to connect with peers from across the country and learn how to better promote healthy life choices, said Tyler Morton, a prevention advocate with 20th Judicial District Juvenile Services.
“They did a lot of learning there,” Morton said. “I think they did a great job.”
Morton and Nichelle Holinde, a parent and stakeholder with the Youth Crew, detailed the trip to the Barton County Commission on Tuesday morning. The two traveled with five youths, who also shared their experiences.
Attending the training were: Branson Holinde, a ninth grader at Great Bend High School; Brooklyn Cooley, a 10th grader at Great Bend High School; Mya Brewer, an eighth grader at Hoisington Middle School; Janey Weber, an eighth grader at Great Bend Middle School; and Matilda Philbern, a ninth grader at Great Bend High School.
For two of the students, it was their first time attending the training. Morton said they were willing to jump in and “get out of their comfort zones” during a week filled with note-taking and interacting with the 2,000 attendees.
For the other three, it was their second time at the conference. “We got a lot of compliments on them. They did an awesome job,” Morton said.
“They have a lot going for them,” Holinde said of the returning students. “It is a good group.”
Morton said the CADCA trip allows Youth Crew members to “dive deeper into the purpose of our coalition.” The all-expenses-paid trip provides a venue for youth from across the country to meet, discuss prevention work and learn from leaders in the field.
Brewer, a second-year attendee, said she learned that making communities safer requires everyone's involvement. “They all play a role. All parts are important. Our job [as Youth Crew] is to raise awareness.”
The students tackled challenging topics, from social media pressures to suicide and drug use. They said it all starts with getting the right people together.
“I’m so proud of this group,” District 5 Commissioner Donna Zimmerman said. “You guys are amazing kids.”
District 3 Commissioner Shawn Hutchinson told the students they now have a “big responsibility” to share what they learned and “that’s part of being a leader.”
The Youth Crew is a youth-led task force for ages 12 to 19 that helps create healthy habits at home and in the community. Morton said the goal is to have an active roster of participants who regularly attend meetings and help plan events. The group meets monthly to discuss core values, expectations and upcoming projects.
About Barton County
Located in Central Kansas, Barton County lives by its motto of investing in growth. Supporting a variety of initiatives, the Barton County Commission invites residents to be part of broader conversations and to work in a joint effort for a robust economy, improved quality of life and collaboration that positions Barton County for the future. Check it out at 1400 Main Street, Suite 108, Great Bend, KS 67530, 620-793-1800, www.bartoncounty.org.