Our meeting was packed with FACTivims! Students participated in a Tobacco Shoe Swap game which helped educate our youth about disparities related to tobacco use. We had a dicussion about social inequalities and privilege and how we can use this information in our tobacco prevention messaging. Students then put stickers on candy or candy-looking erasers that said “tobacco tricks not treats”. We will pass this out during lunch later this month. Some students also helped make posters to put around the cafeteria helping to define what the candy messaging means.
Life of an Athlete
On September 24th, Volition hosted speaker, John Underwood, former NCAA All-American, International-level distance runner, World Masters Champion and Olympian coach. John spoke about how lifestyle choices impact our mental and physical performance. Students handed out pens and information sheets about joining Volition at both presentations. At night, they offered a Big Deal Wheel game where participants had to answer a question about school policy, alcohol facts, or Volition for a chance to win a prize.
High School September Meeting
We started the year off with a bang planning for Life of an Athlete and Red Ribbon Week. We had a few new students join our group making it a fun kick off meeting. To celebrate we had ice cream sundays.
FACT Stencils
At our first middle school meeting of the year, new members had a chance to use spray chalk and stencils to spread the truth about tobacco and spread positive prevention messages to their fellow classmates on the sidewalks outside school. Students loved completing this filled the sidewalks with messages.
Back to School Ice Cream Social
Members welcomed students back to Forest Park Middle School with root beer floats. We educated about electronic cigarettes and how "tobacco tricks not treats" with flavored products. We also shared information about Volition and how to get involved in our after school group.
National Night Out
Students educated the community about the True Cost of Underage Drinking with statistics on how underage drinking affects the community at National Night Out on August 6th. They also gave out approximately 500 piggy banks to attendees.
Outdoor Movie Night
Volition hosted an outdoor movie night on June 15th with partners Gift of Wings, Academy of Performing Arts, and Marcus Theaters. Volition Youth had giant yard games available and a photo opportunity with a teen wearing a gorilla costume. They also gave a short presentation about Volition and FACT, who funded the movie. Marcus Showtime Theater donated popcorn to the event. Over 400 people attended the event! Evaluations were successful and 98% of surveys indicated people would attend a similar event in the future.
Prevention Week May 14-18
Volition Youth supported Prevention Week over lunch at the Middle and High School with puzzle pieces, asking students how they contribute to a happy, healthy Franklin. Students also had FACTivisms showing how the cost of tobacco is detrimental to their future and a waste of money.
Recognition Party!
Students celebrated an awesome school year with a FroYo party at YoFresh! We played ice-cream themed games and celebrated our leadership team, seniors, and general success throughout the school year.
Sticker Shock
Volition students participated in a sticker shock to aid the Parents Who Host campaign city wide. They added a Parents Who Host sticker to alcohol packaging in hopes of spreading the word to people purchasing alcohol that they should not provide alcohol to underage students, especially during prom and graduation season.
