Vincent Massey News – Youth Revolution making a difference

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/04/2011 (5490 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Youth Revolution is an ever-expanding movement that has reached hundreds of students in its awakening. It has turned the Brandon youth from everyday middle year and high school students to hard-working, proactive young people with a common goal: promoting healthy life choices to minimize the use of drugs and alcohol in our community.

Thanks to the persistent and highly commendable efforts of Lili Jardine, co-ordinator of the Brandon Community Drug and Alcohol Education Coalition and a teacher at Vincent Massey High School, this project did not simply become just another high school lunch-hour club. Instead, the Youth Revolution stands true to its name and has proven that through time and dedication, the possibilities are endless.

It started with an idea and a few students from Vincent Massey congregating over a couple of lunch hours, and now the Youth Revolution is proud to boast 57 members in the student advisory group alone. This does not even include other Youth Revolution clubs that have sprouted up in schools all over the city, bringing the number to 122 members overall.

Not only are students busy nearly every lunch hour of the week, the activities and planning often extend beyond school time. It is something everyone is willing and eager to participate in, not only as a time for personal growth and bonding with other youth, but also because the results are so tangible.

Though the hours are sometimes long and the planning can get gruelling, Jardine insists that, "It’s all for the youth."

The efforts do not go to waste, however, as is perceptible in the many acknowledgements the Youth Revolution has received, including a visit from Premier Greg Selinger. Not only that, the Y-Revolution has 20 sponsors in Brandon to keep them going.

The Youth Revolution has tried to improve any and all activities around the city that have to do with the youth, including the White Out campaign, the Meadows Wellness Day and the Grade 10 Wellness Day that will take place on May 5.

"Our job is to provide alternative options for kids and promote a healthy lifestyle to young people," said Kayleigh Brugger, a Grade 12 student on the advisory group about the purpose of the Youth Revolution.

"I still can’t believe we have grown this much since the beginning of September," said another member, Leslie Skead, who is in Grade 10.

It all goes to show that when given the chance to lead the way, teenagers can surprise you in their willingness to elicit a change in their fellow generation.

Henry Ford had it right when he said, "If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself."

So just watch and see because the Youth Revolution has many plans for the future and every small step taken is a step toward a better Brandon and a better world, free of substances that take away from the quality of life.

Each person can succeed if they try to no endeavour is futile, I can promise you that.

 

» Philma Scheepers is a Grade 11 student at Vincent Massey High School.