Community leaders from the Village of Mundelein recognized Mundelein High School students who have worked in the Stand-Up Task Force to help prevent underage drinking and other teen drug use. In a reception held April 26 in their honor, the following students were recognized: Gabriela Antenore, Jake Antenore, Ryan Antenore, Sidney Brunkow, Cindy Garcia, Maggie Lucas, Jessica Marvin and Megan Rastrelli.
Stand-Up is a community coalition that develops student leadership skills which help them educate their peers to lead substance-free lifestyles. Students also deliver substance abuse prevention messages to parents and the Mundelein community at large to help create a safe and healthy community environment for teens.
“You are all leaders in your school and community and I am proud of your work to educate your peers about the dangers of underage drinking and other drug use,” said Mundelein Mayor Steve Lentz. “My hope is that through your experience with Stand-Up, you will continue to be active citizens who make a positive difference in your community.”
Three specific Stand-Up projects were singled out: The “Be the Majority” school marketing campaign, based on local data taken from the Illinois Youth Survey, reports that most high school students in Mundelein avoid alcohol and other drugs. MHS Dean of Students Paul Thatcher and MHS School Resource Officer Sarah Wirth explained that the students did a great job creating posters and spreading drug-free messages throughout the school.
The Photo Voice Contest encourages eighth to twelfth grade students to submit photos and captions that describe their decisions to be drug-free. According to Mundelein Police Deputy Chief Don Hansen, Stand-Up Chairperson, “this is the first year Stand-Up students held the contest. We are very pleased with the entries which were on display for the first time during the event.”
The third project focuses on the “Parents Who Host Lose the Most” campaign set for Tuesday, May 2. Students will join other Stand-Up members, the Mundelein Police Department and the Mundelein After School Coalition to display campaign materials that raise awareness about Mundelein Social Host Ordinance 9.80 that prohibits adults from providing alcohol and other drugs to minors. Mundelein Police Chief Eric Guenther said, “Sometimes parents think that by allowing teens to drink at their home and taking away the car keys, they are providing a ‘safe’ environment for their kids after prom.” He went on to explain that it is illegal and dangerous for teens to drink, period. “We take hosting underage drinking parties seriously because we want to protect the health and well-being of our youth and there are safer and drug-free options for students after events like prom and graduation as well as during the summer,” he concluded.
The Mundelein Stand-Up Task Force started in 2007 to prevent and reduce underage drinking and drug use among youth in Mundelein. The group is comprised of community leaders, organizations, schools, police, churches, youth, parents and neighbors who are concerned about the health, safety and well-being of Mundelein youth. The Task Force meets the second Thursday of every month at the Mundelein Police Department from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Meetings are free and open to the public.