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D214, Middle School Students Participate in Self-Empowerment Conference

On March 9-10, more than 100 students and staff from five District 214 high schools along with three middle schools participated in the self-empowerment seminar, "The Human Performance Project Conference".

Northwest suburban-based Link Together Coalition hosted the conference for the students, their teachers and support staff to share the science and motivation behind making healthy choices. These choices include getting sufficient sleep and nutrition, as well as information about mood, mental health, use of screen time and substance use avoidance, in order to significantly impact the success of students.

Schools that were represented by those in attendance included Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove, John Hersey, Prospect, and Rolling Meadows high schools, in addition to staff and/or students from D214 feeder schools including Thomas, MacArthur and River Trails.

For more than 18 hours, students and staff heard from several speakers, including nationally-renowned 'Human Performance Project' and 'Life of an Athlete' founder, John Underwood. Topics were focused on leadership, accountability, proper nutrition, sleep and substance use avoidance.

Participants attended breakout sessions, including an intense workout session with a veteran Navy Seal, and then heard from former NFL player Brandon Bair, who encouraged students to achieve their unique, personal best. Anonymous post-workshop surveys stated, [they] "taught me a lot about life and how I can become a better leader and person moving forward," and that "kids (and adults!) loved the message".

In addition to the adult motivational speakers, students and staff also heard from Buffalo Grove High School's student-led empowerment group, Elevate, and its faculty sponsor Christopher 'Kip' North. Patterned after Underwood's, Life of an Athlete program, Elevate encourages students to hold themselves responsible for making healthy choices, while encouraging their peers to do the same.

"It's powerful for other students to hear directly from their peers; how they set standards for themselves and stay committed by holding themselves and their fellow members accountable," said Link Together Prevention Specialist Jorie Ouimet. "The Human Performance Project was not only informative, it was an inspiring, eye-opening experience for the students that showcased self-empowerment through team building and leadership."

For information about Link Together Coalition, please visit http://www.linktogethercoalition.org.

ABOUT LINK TOGETHER COALITION:

Link Together Coalition works in support with their fiscal agent, nonprofit OMNI Youth Services, and empowers Wheeling Township middle and high school students to be drug and alcohol free. These populations are provided with education, advocacy, access to community resources, and policy awareness. The organization's prevention programming is made possible by grants from the Illinois Department of Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), and Drug Free Communities.

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