Teen-agers from local and area high schools are
learning valuable lessons about leadership, team work and a drug-free lifestyle at the
Indiana Teen Institute at Vincennes University this summer.
The institute provides learning opportunities for the development
of student leaders from Indiana high schools and helps turn these leaders into effective
advocates for the prevention of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Students will then be
able to teach these lessons to other peers and will advocate a drug-free lifestyle in
their high school.
Vincennes University has two institutes each summer, with the
second one in session this week. There are 101 students from Indiana, including
representatives from Vincennes Lincoln, Vincennes Rivet, North Knox and South Knox high
schools. There approximately 20 staff members who teach at the institute.
Drew Russell, a sophomore at Rivet, said the institute is fun.
"I am meeting everyone here and learning leadership skills to
right the wrong," he said.
Students and adult participants work with volunteer adult and youth
staff members to gain knowledge in the areas of leadership, prevention programming and
wellness risk factors for adolescents. Team involvement and working together are stressed.
General sessions, breakout workshops, small group discussions and
team building activities are also part of the agenda. Action plans for each
school/community team are completed and ready for implementation by the end of the
training process.
"It (institute) is not what I expected; it is so much
more," said South Knox senior Megan Smith. "I am glad to get involved and I want
to make a difference at my school."
Director Bill Lucas, a certified health education specialist and
prevention professional, has been in charge of the ITI program for the past 11 years. He
has directed 20 institutes.
"Our earlier institute was a success and this one is running
smoothly," Lucas said. "The kids learn a lot and can take them back to their
communities."
A Miami, Fla., artist Xavier Cortada, who paints
murals at events and conferences, is participating in the institute by involving students
in a mural he painted this week. Cortada involved all the students by allowing them to
write a saying, poetry or draw art on a small sheet of paper. Each paper was then made a
part of the three canvas section mural. One piece of paper said, "You miss 100
percent of all the shot you fail."
The mural depicts a student reaching out to other students, while
still connecting to others and the community. Within the mural are symbols representing
events that have taken place during the institute. It is not known, yet, where the mural
may be displayed.
The Indiana Teen Institute began in 1984 and trained teams of high
school students within Indiana in the area of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use
prevention. This the seventh year for the institute to be at VU.
ITI is currently funded by the Indiana State Department of
Education, the Indiana Department of Family and Social Services Administration, Division
of Mental Health, tuition fees and private contributions. Both programs are part of the
Indiana Juvenile Justice Task Force, Inc.