New club+new ideas= positive change

October 23, 2009 • Victoria Harshaw, videographer/photographer  
Filed under News

Parties? Booze? Crazy times with crazy people? If you don’t get wasted then what’s the fun in life? In high school you’re supposed to let loose on the weekends, have a little fun right? But when did the fun turn into getting drunk and making a fool of yourself?

JCYC (Jackson County Youth Coalition) is a youth-led organization in the community where the youth can plan fun events that don’t involve alcohol or drugs and still have crazy fun. It works along with JCCTC (Jackson County Communities That Care), in which provide the funds for the JCYC activities.

“I love the new, fresh ideas that as a team we come up with”. Including making an obstacle course for kids to go through at the lock in. said, Lauren Bagby, current JCYC leader.

JCYC spreads the word about how teens are affected by drugs and alcohol. Being a member you may be asked to go to meetings where you can present in front of the leaders of your community.

“One time I talked about how tobacco can affect your health, and I had the audience chew a tootsie roll and spit it into a cup, and shared facts.” Said Julia Shoemaker.

There are three different groups of JCYC in Jackson County. One is held in Jackson Heights, Holton, and Royal Valley. Holton meets once a month as a local group, and three times a year as a county group. Upcoming Events are a Hayrack Ride in October, a Lock in, in January, and a Water War and more in March.

Currently JCYC is helping SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) in planning Red Ribbon Week.

“Right now we are previewing movies to be seen by the school, and have purchased arm bands to be worn by students all week.” said Debbie Harshaw, head of

Holton JCYC.

JCCTC sent Victoria Harshaw to Ohio this summer to train in ways to help students make good decisions. Allie White and Sydney Hennis went to a conference with the Jackson County school counselors. Holton JCYC currently has 25 active members, but anyone can join at anytime. If you would like more information contact Victoria Harshaw or Lauren Bagby.

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