Straight Talk About Tough Stuff
Teaching younger generations about how to navigate their choices in life is important, and it is even more important for these lessons to come from people we respect and admire. This is exactly what STATS, Straight Talk About Tough Stuff, is about at Reeths-Puffer High School. Students are able to help guide others through challenging situations and to, as advisor Jennifer LaChapelle says, “make a difference.”
STATS takes a visit to Reeths-Puffer Middle School
Photo taken by Matt Pallett
What is the tough stuff that STATS is talking about? The topics of focus for STATS leaders are “Substance misuse and abuse, laws and policies of underage drinking, tobacco and marijuana use, illegal drug use, vaping, social media and sexting, safety - seatbelt, car seats, helmet, [and] refusal skills,” says LaChapelle. The focus is always on topics that have a major impact on someone’s life. With kids in the elementary school, for example, Brook Buchan, a member of the group, says they talk mostly about, “being kind.” In the Intermediate school they like to talk about safety things, like wearing a seat belt or a bike helmet, and at the middle school topics like, “sexting, vaping, drinking and drug use are discussed,” says Buchan. The members of STATS like to inform certain age groups about specific situations that could be affecting their lives at this time.
Azlynn Gordon and Jackson Baldus present to elementary students.
Photo taken by Jennifer LaChapelle
In order to have the chance to educate the youth on these situations, a certain criteria must be met. Buchan explains that the best students for STATS are those “who have a drive for educating the youth about how powerful their decisions and choices are.” They are looking for people “that have passion to make a difference, are willing to put themselves out there, and are great at communicating,” LaChapelle explains. In other words, STATS is looking for people who are dedicated and can be good role models for kids who are struggling with their choices.
To find out if the criteria is met, there is an interview process that candidates must go through. LaChapelle runs the interviews and there needs to be administration approval.
STATS 2025 trip to DC to advocate against drugs.
Photo taken by Jennifer LaChapelle
Some of the group's past projects have been Cartoonversations and monthly group travels. One of their more well known projects is traveling to DC for a week to present for CADCA, or the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America. According to Austin Freed, another member of STATS, they learned about, “the harms of THC, the ever changing THC industry, and the issues with propaganda in the substance abuse community online.” Once they learned about these sensitive topics, the group got the chance to advocate about the topics to elected representatives at the United States Capitol.
STATS student colors with an elementary student.
Photo taken by Jennifer LaChapelle
These projects are all done in order to have the same outcome. Buchan says that, “some kids do not understand the true impact of the choices that they are making.” STATS goal is to help kids understand the impact of their choices and to help guide them to make better decisions.” By getting involved with STATS, “students have the ability to influence younger students to make good decisions” and to “make a difference in their school and community.”
Written By: Grace Darke and Alyssa Robinson