One of our long term Teen Advisory Council members, now a part of our college student team, reflects on his experience with the Life Skills program. Now accepting registrations for July 2025!
From Student to Teacher: How Life Skills Shaped My Journey
When I first signed up for HC DrugFree’s Life Skills classes as a middle schooler, I didn’t realize just how much they would shape the way I’d think, act, and grow. At the time, I was just another kid trying to figure things out while navigating the early pressures of adolescence. I had no idea that those few sessions would continue to impact me for years to come.
The topics we covered in class, spanning from decision-making to self-image, seemed straightforward. But each one provided me with tools I didn’t realize I needed. Through the in-class role-playing and skits, I learned how to build strong and meaningful relationships, all while staying true to my own values. I discovered how to express myself clearly, even in disagreements, and gained a better understanding of how media and advertising can warp our views on things like smoking, alcohol, and self-worth.
As I made the transition from middle to high school, the academic and social pressure intensified. I found myself relying on the anxiety coping and reframing strategies we learned in the class, using them as a tool to keep pushing forward. That early exposure to mental wellness became a quiet anchor for me when things felt overwhelming.
As I moved into high school, I wanted to give back to the same program that helped shape my foundation. So I returned; this time not as a student, but as a volunteer and role model for the next generation of middle schoolers. Having once sat in their seats, I understood firsthand how impactful it was to see older students supporting and guiding them. I knew how much those high school volunteers had meant to me, and I wanted to be that same source of reassurance for someone else. Supporting the instructional team was one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve had. I was able to answer questions honestly, offer advice from a high schooler’s perspective, and most importantly, show the students that the skills they were learning would actually matter.
Now, as I prepare to enter college and take the next step in my life, I’m proud to be joining HC DrugFree’s instructional team. It feels like the natural continuation of a journey that started when I was just a kid with questions. I’ve seen firsthand how prevention-based education can influence someone’s choices and mindset, and I’m excited to be a part of bringing that impact to others.
The Life Skills classes didn’t just teach me how to say “no” to drugs or resolve conflict; they helped me grow into someone who’s confident in his choices, aware of his surroundings, and ready to face challenges head-on. I owe a great deal of that to HC DrugFree and this program, and as I look forward to what’s next, I hope to keep paying that gift forward.
HC DrugFree reminds all parents, guardians and caregivers to keep their loved ones safe by securing all medications and properly dispose of all unwanted/expired medication.
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