The Awaken Project delivers message of choice to Braves
Inside the Indian Hill High
School (IHHS) Auditorium last November, a drum was set in the center of the
stage with a giant video wall positioned directly behind it. It wasn’t your
typical High School presentation; but, this wasn’t your typical High School
class.
“We need to care for each
other,” said IHHS Principal Jeff Damadeo. “Braves Nation is a family, and
within that is the real need to take care of one another in all areas of our
lives. We want our students to understand that we are all in this together.”
Indian Hill High School hosted the Awaken Project Wednesday, November 28, 2018. IHHS Principal Jeff Damadeo speaks to students. |
The Awaken Project delivered the powerful presentation on choice; built around a
personal story and a passion for music, the two-man team of Joe Richardson and
Jeff Mozingo taught students about the effects of heroin and drug use. The
non-profit organization based in St. Louis, Missouri, carries a singular
message within this unique rock-concert style show: You have the power to say
no to drugs, and to help your peers make the same decision.
“The power of choice is one
that we own alone, but so often the world around us creates challenges and
barriers to making the best choices – this was an event for us to address that
directly with our Braves,” said Damadeo. “At Indian Hill High School, we are
blessed with the best of the best instructional leaders and mentors for our
students; this was an opportunity to reach our Braves with a message beyond
academic learning – to create a moment for our Braves to understand that their
social and emotional well-being is also a priority to us. We want only the best
for our students.”
Indian Hill Schools Foundation
member Jennifer Lightcap, who worked closely with the district to bring the
Awaken Project to the community, commented, “This program underscores the stark
reality that Ohio is second only to West Virginia in overdose deaths
nationwide. It is critical that our community and schools do everything
possible to educate our kids about the dangers of heroin and empower them to
make the right and safe choice. As a resident I am so proud of the School
district for taking this very proactive approach and as a person who has lost a
family member to a heroin overdose, I hope that more communities reach out to
their children in such a powerful way so that no other families suffer a loss
like this.”
Awaken Project presenter Joe Richardson, Jennifer Lightcap, Superintendent Dr. Mark Miles, Jeff Mozingo |
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