Essex CHIPS Teen Group Wins MTV’s “Unwasted Weekend” Challenge
The Essex CHIPS Above the Influence (ATI) group, a group of Essex High School teens, recently received national attention as the winners of MTV’s “Unwasted Weekend” Challenge. ATI was chosen out of hundreds of submissions nation-wide to have their idea of an epic unwasted weekend made into a reality.
The Essex Above the Influence group is made up of 11 students leaders who have made a decision to stay above the influence of drugs and alcohol, and to share their message with their high school peers. Above the Influence is a national campaign that is being localized to the Essex Community. The local teen center and community non-profit, Essex CHIPS is spearheading the efforts, working with youth and schools to implement ATI in the community. Essex youths are working to promote healthy lifestyles and substance-free events. “We wanted to find a way to work with youth to help change the perceptions around drug and alcohol use in our community,” said Ray Coffey, Executive Director at Essex CHIPS. “This group of students has been amazing to work with, and has made the idea of living above the influence a mantra for them and their peers to live by. They are clearly motivated to spread this message, and earning this recognition is a testament to their incredible work so far!”
In response to MTV’s request for videos, the Essex ATI group came together to make a YouTube video explaining what their epic weekend would be. The students came up with a lock-in style event held at the Champlain Valley Expo, where they and all their Essex High School peers could engage in a variety of healthy and substance-free activities. Students are currently working with producers of MTV’s “Made” and “Sweet 16” to plan an event that will consist of DJs, a dance-off, inflatable games, dodge ball, a photo booth, hypnotist, volleyball, soccer, a pie eating contest, and much more. “The entire school is wicked excited for this event.” Says Essex High School Student and ATI Group Member Joey Picard, “Things like this just don’t happen here in Vermont and I think it will be a great opportunity to have fun and teach kids that they don’t have to use drugs and alcohol to have a good time.”
Funds raised from the event will support the Essex High School Unified Sports Team, the bocce and bowling leagues for special needs students. The Unified Sports team will be participating in the Summer Special Olympics games held at UVM. The group is hoping that the money raised from this event will help the team pay for tournament entry fees, transportation costs, and team uniforms.
The event will be held on December 17th. More information will be shared as it unfolds at http://www.facebook.com/EssexATI
To view the winning YouTube submission, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdIFGIaLHWk
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