Teaching leaders to lead

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Erika Pilkerton, left, and Chris Kessler learn about cooperation and teamwork as they participate in a team-building game organized by John Davis of the University of Illinois Extension. The team building exercise was one of many during a day-long training held at First Christian Church in Morris. (Photo courtesy of the Grundy County No Tolerance Task Force/Anita Young)

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Youths have the ability to make sound decisions about their behavior and choices, but in order to do that, they need to get the right information.

That’s why more than 80 teens from Grundy County and Seneca high schools participated in the first Operation Snowball training organized by local high schools and the Grundy County No Tolerance Task Force.

The Nov. 2 training, held at First Christian Church in Morris, focused on teaching youth to be leaders in the prevention of youth tobacco use, underage drinking, illegal drug abuse, and negative peer pressure.

In addition to experiencing team-building activities, the youths learned ways to build positive self-esteem in others and planned their own outreach activities for their classmates, as well as younger kids.

In addition to Paula Goodwin, NTTF coordinator, the Snowball training was presented by Ted Penesis of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, Deputy Chad Hrechko of the Grundy County Sheriff’s Department, John Davis of the University of Illinois Extension, and faculty advisors Carolyn Reynolds of M-V-K Middle School, C.J. Dzuiban and Cecilia DePersia of Coal City High School, Adriana Martinez and Cindy Szewczuk of Minooka Community High School, and Cecilia Mistretta of Morris Community High School.

The following students participated:

COAL CITY HIGH SCHOOL — Kristen Arndt, Brooke Berger, Tim Bradley, Kaitlyn Jacob, Shelby St. Cin, Cameron Stone, Brandon Tidaback, and Magaly Torres

GARDNER–SOUTH WILMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL — Megan Chambers, Kali Evans, Lauren Finn, Amy Housman, Rhiannon Johnson, Ciara Seeman, and Katarena Shiner

MINOOKA COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL — Liz Adcox, Peyton Anderson, Jetzaly Arellano, Samantha Borgman, Hailey Evans, Morgan Farley, Erin Forbes, Kaitlyn Harper, Meagan Hoffman, Klair Holmes, Sarah Hundt, Katie Jostes, Jessica Khatib, Kaira Paramo, Abby Price, Miranda Shaffner, Sarah Stropus, Monserad Swanson, Tera Waldron, and Samantha Young

MORRIS COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL — Steffani Anderson, Paige Ashworth, Kade Bashor, Kori Beck, Shelby Carroll, Ali Chatten, Katie Chatten, Jaymee Cole, Cassie Crouch, Danielle Cummings, Jordan Cummings, Jackie DesLauriers, Jessie Eastman, Jessica Ehrman, Andrea Enger, Lauren Galloway, Nonie Grandfield, Lauren Hausken, Nathaniel Hunnewell, Chris Kesler, Ali Menozi, Jeremy Murphy, Morgan Narvick, Erika Pilkerton, Skylar Regalado, Tyler Robinson, Madison Rodgers, Jenna Runchey, Lindsey Sailor, Emily Sandgren, Doug Schluntz, Randi Simon, Veronica Stinnette, Jessie Sweeney, Sabrina Turman, Brenton Ward, Brianna Washburn, Lauren Williamson, Megan Winter, and Katie Yard, Trent Zelko

SENECA TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL — Faustino Alcaraz, Dakota Applebee, Alexandria Dodge, Jack Fillenwarth, and William Fillenwarth

MVK MIDDLE SCHOOL — Mackenzie Granby, Danielle Marques, Brandon Pasdertz, and Maggie Thomas

For more information about Operation Snowball youth activities, please contact Paula Goodwin at (815) 941-3130.
 

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