Current teen leaders teach future teen leaders

Wood County JTI and TI members, and prevention specialist from the Wood County Educational Service Center gather outside Rossford Junior High School during the JTI retreat March 18.

Wood County Teen Institute members on Friday helped light and pass the torch of leadership during the Junior Teen Institute retreat held at Rossford Junior High School.

The event March 18 event, put on by the Wood County Educational Service Center’s School and Community-Based ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug) prevention program.

Teen Institute groups exist to allow students to teach each other strategies to be leaders in their schools and to be a student advocate and role model for a drug, alcohol and tobacco-free lifestyle.

Approximately 70 youth from across Wood County in grades 6 through 12 attended the event, which began after school and continued into the late evening.

Teen Institute (TI) members used the leadership skills they learned in TI to lead, teach, excite and energize Junior Teen Institute members, who will continue on into TI.

Friday’s event included a cookout; a hands-on, experiential learning activities; and engaging youth in fun, educational and team-oriented activities to enforce the theme of leadership and a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle.

Eventually, JTI members will learn these leadership skills and become leaders themselves during future JTI retreats, passing the torch to the next generation of youth committed to a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle.

Emily Cohen, a senior at Rossford High School, competes in a Minute To Win It game against other family group members. More photos from the event can be found here.