Central Cambria students who participated in the Communities That Care Youth Summit were:
Sophomores: Jessica Balough and Michael Walwro
Freshmem: Mary Beth Woods and Moses Ritchey
Central Cambria School District has been working with the newly formed Cambria County Prevention Coalition (CCPC) to engage students in the process of improving their school and their community. The district agreed to host a series of student summits where kids from Blacklick, Forest Hills, Cambria Heights, Bishop Carroll, Admiral Perry Vo-Tech and Central Cambria came together to talk about drugs, alcohol, family life and the stresses of being a teen-ager.
“This session was a follow-up to the first one done in May,” says Marlene Singer who coordinates this student project as part of Conemaugh Health System’s participation in CCPC. “The kids were so open and honest and really wanted us to see things from their point of view. We felt we had to come back and continue the conversation. They feel a lot of the pressures that adults do and need to talk about it. They have parental expectations along with financial and academic worries about if they’ll be able to go to college and how to afford it if they do. Unfortunately some kids also worry about home finances and if there will be enough food for the week. Their world changes at rapid speed with technology, social media, the availability of drugs and alcohol being a part of their everyday life. It doesn’t matter what school they go to, their issues are all the same.”
In addition to the student summits, Central Cambria has reviewed its Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) with Singer. Students see our school and the staff in it as a strong positive influence in their lives,” says Kim McDermott, high school principal. “A presentation was done for our administration about the risk factors out there and also the protective factors that are in place to help our students succeed. It’s helpful for our guidance counselors and teachers to know what the kids are doing, thinking and what behaviors they engage in.”
One of the behaviors that all Cambria County students engage in is texting while driving. As a result, Central Cambria recently did a distracted driving program where all students were able to drive the golf cart around the campus while texting or with goggles that impaired their reflexes like they had been drinking. Since 78% of students admit to texting while driving, programs like this help them see just how dangerous it can be, says Randy Wilson, Central Cambria guidance counselor.
“This is an example of how the Prevention Coalition can work”, says Singer. “Once information is shared then steps can be taken to improve a particular area or behavior. It’s a one step at a time process and we need all the help we can get.” The next community meeting of the Cambria County Prevention Coalition will be held at Central Cambria High School on Tuesday February 10th from 8am to 10am. If you would like to attend to see how you can help RSVP to secretary@cambriahealthandwelfare.org.
