SHEO Club Goes to West Side

DAYTON--Drug Free Grant Coordinator Peggy Guiterrez, and ASB SHEO Club Advisor Jennifer Price accompanied students in Dayton's SHEO Club to Olympia on Feb. 20 for Prevention Policy Day.

Representative Terry Nealey took them on a tour of House Chambers and showed them how the electronic voting system works. He also talked about the progress of three pieces of legislation concerning substance abuse and violence prevention.

"That part of the trip was great," Guiterrez said.

The next day, the students were in Bremerton, Wash. for a day of education about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Resilience training, and games, along with Bremerton High School students and a group of adult community leaders. They included members of the Kitsap Strong Coalition, which functions like Dayton's Coalition for Youth and Families.

Guiterrez said that after each workshop the attendees were asked to provide feedback, and the feedback was very positive.

"It was so powerful. I thought they did a good job, but our kids really had a positive impact on that community," said Guiterrez.

Guiterrez said CYF has chosen not to apply for the next cycle of the Drug Free Grant, but the work SHEO does will continue.

"There is enough money to function this year for the media campaign and for leadership retreats," she said.

Dayton School Superintendent Doug Johnson has said that between $7,000 and $10,000 will be set aside in the district's budget to hire a part-time SHEO Club advisor for next school year.

Guiterrez said that when her job as Drug Free Grant coordinator ends at the end of September, she hopes to get her substitute teaching certification, spend more time with her grandchildren, and make bookings for, and travel with, her husband's band.