Barrington students learn smart decision-making skills

Students at Barrington Middle School Station Campus put the books away for a day recently to get a lesson in positive decision making.

This month the school hosted its fourth annual Snowflake event, which focuses on the social and emotional aspects of being in middle school.

"Snowflake focuses on topics related to adolescent concerns and enforces positive decision making and healthy behaviors," said seventh-grade teacher Amy Suessen.

The highlight of this year's event was a presentation from Eddie Slowikowski, a five-time NCAA All-American track star at Loyola University.

Slowikowski has been a public speaker for the past 13 years. He travels the country speaking to thousands of kids each year about trying to make positive choices in their life.

Following Slowikowski's talk, Principal Craig Winkelman said students were divided into small groups to talk about some of their own experiences.

"We want them to know that it is OK to not participate in things that are not good for you," Winkelman said.

Since the teachers participate in the event, Winkelman said it gave the students an opportunity to interact with them in a setting that is not as formal as a classroom.

"They are able to see their teachers in a different light," Winkelman said.

Suessen said the event did a great job at helping the students make new friends, gain trust in one another and find greatness inside of themselves.

"I hope that they take away from the night's activities an awareness that the decisions they make today will have an impact on their future," Suessen said.

Winkelman said the event has been a big hit with the students.

"Overall, it is a huge success and the program just keeps growing," he said.