MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii Meth Project is encouraging students to get involved in the state’s central anti-meth community effort by applying to its Teen Advisory Council for the 2015-2016 school year.

All Hawaii high school students entering grades 9 through 12 are eligible to apply for one of 20 available positions on the council.

This is the sixth year of the program, which has engaged more than 100 council ambassadors and hundreds of additional teen volunteers since its inception.

During their one-year term, Teen Advisory Council (TAC) members will have the opportunity to lead and facilitate educational outreach in their schools and communities across the state.

They will also raise awareness about the importance of methamphetamine prevention, especially amongst their peers.

“The Teen Advisory Council is instrumental in sharing our core ‘Not Even Once’ message in their homes, schools, and communities to further promote understanding of the immediate and long-term dangers of crystal methamphetamine,” said Hawaii Meth Project’s interim executive director, Georgi DeCosta. “TAC members support our organizational mission of preventing meth use in Hawaii, while teaching our youth ambassadors valuable skills including effective communication and event support.”

In addition to having a school and community presence, TAC members will participate in educational events, monthly conference calls, and regular team brainstorming sessions. Selected students are expected to lead by example and perpetuate the importance of leading a drug-free lifestyle.

“Serving on the Teen Advisory Council during both my junior and senior year was extremely rewarding because I had the opportunity to educate my peers about the dangers of meth while promoting a healthier lifestyle,” said Mari Domingo, a senior at Mililani High School. “Taking the lead on coordinating events as an anti-meth ambassador and serving as a community volunteer allowed me to grow in many ways, and I highly encourage others to apply to the council.”

The 2014-2015 Hawaii Meth Project Teen Advisory Council represented the following schools and communities in their outreach over the past year:

* Kauai
Erica Owan – Grade 11, Kauai High School

* Oahu
Erica Brenner – Grade 11, Island Pacific Academy
Malia Bush – Grade 12, James Campbell High School
Marjorie Cheng-Leever – Grade 11, Mid-Pacific Institute
John “Eiwa” Colburn IX – Grade 12, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama
Kaulana Dilliner – Grade 12, Kamehameha Schools Kapalama
Mari Domingo – Grade 12, Mililani High School
Brianna Dung – Grade 12, Saint Francis School
Lydia Earles – Grade 11, Hawaii Mission Academy
Tiana Igarashi – Grade 12, Henry J. Kaiser High School
Michael-Logan Jordan – Grade 10, Kalaheo High School
Dakota Mengel – Grade 12, Mililani High School
Lauren Nahale – Grade 11, Kalaheo High School
Maya Nishida – Grade 11, Mid-Pacific Institute
Caitlin Okamoto – Grade 12, Kaimuki High School
Kaheela Reed – Grade 12, James Campbell High School

* Maui
Sarah Salemi – Grade 11, King Kekaulike High School
McKayla Wandell – Grade 12, Baldwin High School

* Hawaii Island
Maria Fratinardo – Grade 11, Kamehameha Schools Hawaii
John Ortega – Grade 12, Hawaii Prepatory Academy
Ian Sanborn – Grade 11, Kamehameha Schools Hawaii
Makoa Yoshida – Grade 10, Konawaena High School

Prospective members for the coming year will be asked to dedicate between 10 to 20 hours of volunteer service work each month. Selected candidates must be available to attend a mandatory training session on Oahu from June 7-10 (Neighbor Island travel expenses will be covered).

Teens interested in applying to be a part of the Teen Advisory Council must complete an official application, which can be found online at http://hawaiimethproject.org/About-Us/teen-council.php

The completed application along with two letters of reference must be submitted by 5 p.m. Thursday, April 30 by email to georgi@hawaiimethproject.org or faxed to (808) 356-8645.

Applicants wishing to submit hard copies by mail must have their applications postmarked by April 30 and mailed to: Hawaii Meth Project, TAC Applications, P.O. Box 3073, Honolulu, HI 96802.

The Hawaii Meth Project is a nonprofit organization that implements large-scale, research-based campaigns and community action programs to reduce methamphetamine use in the state.

The Hawaii Meth Project is affiliated with The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, a national nonprofit organization working to help families solve the problem of teen substance abuse.

— Find out more:
www.HawaiiMethProject.org