UthMpact is Proud to Announce Its 2013-2014 Leadership Class III

UthMpact is Proud to Announce Its 2013-2014 Leadership Class III

Students from Polk County high schools have been nominated by their school principals or community members to participate in the 2013-2014 UthMpact Leadership Class III. Please see the following page for a list of the students who will participate.

This unique program, spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance, StandUP Polk Coalition, UthMpact Coalition, and key business partners, is designed to help teens develop crucial leadership skills.  Beginning in September, these new youth leaders will travel throughout the county once a month to experience the inner workings of local government, healthcare, education, and law enforcement. The teens will meet with community leaders to discuss challenges faced in the community and suggest proactive solutions.

UthMpact is the dynamic coalition of teen leaders committed to helping educate and deliver key substance abuse prevention messages to teens by their peers. Coalition goals for UthMpact are to provide positive community engagement; change community stereotypes about teen drug use by volunteering, informing and being educated; set examples for other teens; increase coalition membership and involvement in youth clubs in high schools; and positively encourage alcohol and tobacco prevention and cessation.

The UthMpact Leadership Class II Graduation took place on April 18, 2013.  At the event, students sang a song, shared information about their social norming activities, presented videos on distracted driving and a year in review, and also performed a swing dance routine.  Each Class II graduate received a certificate and a T-Shirt commemorating their year together, and two $500 scholarships were awarded to Taylor Jones and Seth Stone. 

For additional information on the UthMpact Leadership Program, please call Timothy J. Percell at (863) 802-0777, or find UthMpact on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UthMpact and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/uthmpact

Congrats to 2013-2014 UthMpact Leadership Class III Participants

Madison Aldrich
Sania Ali
Isabella Basalone
Taryn Boyer
Jordyn Braaten
Elizabeth (Marla) Broom
Hank Campbell
Julia Canady
Tiffany Chantharasinh
Emi Davis
William Davis
Kevon Edmondson
Mackenzie Eliasen
Katy Ferguson
Isaiha Fields
Lydia Goodman
Rami Harb
Kobe Jones
Morgan Kendrick
Hannah Keyt
Katherine Lopez
Ali Malik
Marli McKown
Sidney Nelson
Shefali Patel
India Paul
Anna Plair
Jerry (Trey) Porter
Joshua Ragasa
Rene Respicio
Rachel Ringley
Michaela Sawyer
Kavi Saxena
Jessie Scarpa
Julia Schindler
Alexander Schulz
Anthony Seay Jr.
Neel Shah
Katherine Sherouse
Eugene Smith
William Sutton
Katie Thielen
Tierra Thomas
Rachel Trinklein
Alex William Trudeau
Ashlyne Wells
Michael Wiggs
Taylor Williams
Noelle Woods

Red Ribbon Rallies Poster, Poetry & Essay Contests Winter Haven Area Winners Announced May 9, 2013

  Inne       InnerAct Alliance is proud to announce the winners of its Poster, Poetry and Essay Contests for Fifth Grade
               Students in the greater Winter Haven/Haines City area schools. Contest participants will be recognized during the
               Red Ribbon Rally on Thursday morning, May 9, at 10:00 a.m. at Polk State College Gym in Winter Haven.

The anti-drug rally focuses on reinforcing critical substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school in the fall. Students were challenged to use their creative talents to compose essays, write poems, or draw posters to illustrate topical messages about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Overall winners in each category will receive cash prizes of $100 (first place), $50 (second place), and $25 (third place) in each contest category.

Congratulations to the Winter Haven Area Rallies Contest Overall Prize Winners

Poster Contest

1^st Place $100.00 - Yashierlys Vazquez from Loughman Oaks Elementary

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Zoie Whiting from Jewett School of the Arts
3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Ariel Salgado from Elbert Elementary

                                   

Poetry Contest
1^st Place $100.00 - Demetrion Mallett from Jewett School of the Arts

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Natasha Mull from Garden Grove Elementary          

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Ashley Vargus from Caldwell Elementary    

Essay Contest 
1^st Place $100.00 - I’yana Whittaker from J.H. Wilson Elementary

2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Arianna Pels from Berkley Charter

3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Deisy Cruz Garcia from Wahneta Elementary

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall - Berkley Elementary

Guest speaker for the Rallies is Patrick T. Grady, a former middle and high school educator who travels throughout
North America inspiring and encouraging individuals to do their best in all of their endeavors. Grady is the author of
“Who Packs the Parachute,” and co-author of “Teen Power Too,” and “Teen Power and Beyond.”

Similar rallies for Lakeland area schools took place on May 2^nd at The Lakeland Center.

The mission of InnerAct Alliance is to reduce the abuse and underage use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs through: Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education; Economic Support; and Leadership Development. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency is proud to offer substance abuse prevention to the Hardee, Highlands and Polk County communities with services including science-based education in elementary and middle schools, drug-free puppet shows, informative presentations and family-oriented awareness events that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, community groups and others in need with an important substance abuse message.

Red Ribbon Rallies Poster, Poetry & Essay Contests Lakeland Area Winners Announced May 2, 2013

InnerAct Alliance is proud to announce the winners of its Poster, Poetry and Essay Contests for Fifth Grade Students in the greater Lakeland area schools. Contest participants will be recognized during the Red Ribbon Rallies on Thursday, May 2, 2013, at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at The Lakeland Center.

The anti-drug rallies focus on reinforcing critical substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school in the fall. Students were challenged to use their creative talents to compose essays, write poems, or draw posters to illustrate topical messages about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Overall winners in each category will be awarded cash prizes of $100 (first place), $50 (second place), and $25 (third place) in each contest category.

Congratulations to Lakeland Area Rallies Contest Overall Prize Winners:

Lakeland Area Rallies Contest Overall Prize Winners for 9:30 AM RALLY

Poster Category
1^st Place $100.00 - Jenna Snyder from Lincoln Academy       
2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Kyla Smith from Rochelle School of the Arts  
3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Aiden Abbott from Dr. N.E. Roberts Elementary

Poetry Category
1^st Place $100.00 - Sheila Johnson from Lincoln Academy     
2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Shelby Ricks from North Lakeland Elementary
3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Collin Daniels from Kingsford Elementary

Essay Category
1^st Place $100.00 - Isabel Carrillo from Lincoln Academy
2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Alexis Petry from McKeel Academy
3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Anytsha Williams from Combee Elementary

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall – Lincoln Academy

Lakeland Area Rallies Contest Overall Prize Winners for 11:30 AM RALLY

Poster Category
1^st Place $100.00 - Zachery Vincent from Winston Elementary
2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Jaylynn Perez from Padgett Elementary  
3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Cassandra Gomez from South McKeel

Poetry Category
1^st Place $100.00 - Tariah Demmings from Socrum Elementary  
2^nd Place $ 50.00 - David Fahlgren from South McKeel                
3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Tyler Walsh from St. Paul Lutheran

Essay Category
1^st Place $100.00 - Austin Holden from St. Anthony
2^nd Place $ 50.00 - Sophia Castrillon from St. Joseph
3^rd Place $ 25.00 - Madison Finley from St. Paul Lutheran

School with the Most Contest Participants Overall – South McKeel

Guest speaker for the Rallies is Patrick T. Grady, a former middle and high school educator who travels throughout North America inspiring and encouraging individuals to do their best in all of their endeavors. Grady is the author of “Who Packs the Parachute,” and co-author of “Teen Power Too,” and “Teen Power and Beyond.”

Another rally for Winter Haven and Haines City area schools will be held next week on May 9 at 10:00 a.m. in the Polk State College Gym. Contest winners for those schools will be announced next week.

The mission of InnerAct Alliance is to reduce the abuse and underage use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs through: Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education; Economic Support; and Leadership Development. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency is proud to offer substance abuse prevention to the Hardee, Highlands and Polk County communities with services including science-based education in elementary and middle schools, drug-free puppet shows, informative presentations and family-oriented awareness events that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, community groups and others in need with an important substance abuse message.

For further information on the Fifth Grade Rallies, please call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777. 

Spring 2013 Prescription Drug Take Back Event Nets 1,388 lbs. of Pharmaceuticals

StandUP Polk, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, and local law enforcement agencies were proud to participate in the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back event on Saturday, April 27, 2013, and host our community’s Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications.

An estimated 1,388 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals were collected and safely disposed of via incineration. Drop-off sites included Auburndale Police Department, Bartow Police Department, Haines City Police Department, Lake Alfred Police Department, Lake Wales Police Department, Lakeland Police Department, and Winter Haven Police Department.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time, according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

This latest event brings the total for prescription medication collections held in Polk County, FL to nearly 4,400 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals to date.

Citizens may bring unwanted medications to the county’s permanent drop sites: Auburndale Police Dept. (2 Bobby Green Plaza, weekdays 8-5); Haines City Police Dept. (35400 Hwy 27, weekdays 8-5); Lake Alfred Police Dept. (190 N. Seminole Avenue, 24hrs/7days); Lakeland Police Dept. (219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, 24hrs/7days); or Winter Haven Police Dept. (125 N. Lake Silver Drive NW, weekdays 8-6). 

Medications may also be safely disposed of at home by dissolving them in water, mixing with coffee grounds or cat litter, pouring into a zip lock bag, and putting them in the trash. To avoid harming lakes and ground water, please do not dump any medications into the toilet.  

StandUP Polk, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Polk, is a group of concerned citizens, law enforcement, community and business leaders working together to take a stand against drugs and bring about positive change for Polk County. For more information, please contact Juli Davis, StandUP Polk coalition coordinator, at (863) 802-0777.

FIFTH-GRADERS TO PARTICIPATE IN RED RIBBON RALLIES ON MAY 2 & 9, 2013

Nearly 6,000 fifth grade students have been invited by InnerAct Alliance to attend Red Ribbon Rallies in May to encourage the choice of a positive lifestyle without the use of drugs. Events will take place on Thursday, May 2, at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at The Lakeland Center, and on Thursday, May 9, at 10:00 a.m. at the Polk State College Gym in Winter Haven.

The anti-drug rallies focus on reinforcing critical substance abuse resistance skills before students enter middle school in the fall. Guest speaker is Patrick T. Grady, a former middle and high school educator who travels throughout North America inspiring and encouraging individuals to do their best in all of their endeavors. Community leaders will also be on hand to encourage the choice of a positive, healthy lifestyle without the use of drugs.

Fifth grade students have been challenged to create original essays, poems, and posters that convey topical messages about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Contest winners will be recognized during the rallies with cash prizes of $100, $50, and $25 awarded to overall first place winners in each contest category. 

The mission of InnerAct Alliance is to reduce the abuse and underage use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs through: Community Awareness and Involvement; Prevention Education; Economic Support; and Leadership Development. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency is proud to have provided substance abuse prevention to the Hardee, Highlands and Polk County communities since 1985 with services including science-based education in elementary and middle schools, drug-free puppet shows, informative presentations and family-oriented awareness events that touch the lives of youth, parents, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, community groups and others in need with an important substance abuse message.

For further information on the Fifth Grade Rallies on May 2 and 9, please call InnerAct Alliance at (863) 802-0777.  

2012-2013 UthMpact Leadership Program Graduation April 18, 2013

2012-2013 UthMpact Leadership Program Graduation
April 18, 2013

UthMpact will host its graduation for the Second Class of High School Student Leaders who have successfully completed the 2012-2013 UthMpact Leadership Program on Thursday, April 18, 2013, at 6:00 pm at the Jim Miles Professional Development Building in Lakeland.

Congratulations to the following UthMpact Leaders: Shannon Abraham, Demisha Allen, Scott Benton, Jennifer Chantharasinh, Ryan Claussen, Coni Davis, Emily Everett, Hannah Fitzhugh, Rachel Fredrick, Mercedes Henderson, Destiny Houston, Crimson Johnson, Chandler Jones, Kritzia Lopez,  Walker May, Taylor McKown, Lucy Muller, Delaney Noris, Mallori Odom, Wildaly Ramos, Ashley Reynolds, Davion Riley, Samuel Rivera, Stephen Shipley, Nicole Sottilaro, Sara Jayne Sutton, Alex Villanueva, Samantha Weathersby, and Cody You.

The UthMpact Leadership Program, spearheaded by InnerAct Alliance, StandUP Polk Coalition, UthMpact Coalition, and key business partners, is designed to help teens develop crucial leadership skills. The student participants were all nominated by their high school principals or community members. Teens travel throughout the county to meet with community leaders and experience the inner workings of local government, healthcare, education, and law enforcement. 

Candidates to participate in the 2013-2014 UthMpact Leadership Class III Program will be chosen soon, based on demonstrated scholastic and community leadership experience. 

For more information, please contact Timothy Percell, UthMpact Coalition Coordinator, at (863) 802-0777, or you may contact him via e-mail at: timothy.percell@inneractalliance.org. Find UthMpact on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UthMpact and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/uthmpact.

Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off - Saturday, April 27, 2013

StandUP Polk and local law enforcement agencies are proud to join The Drug Enforcement Administration and its national partners for the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for citizens to dispose of unwanted/unused prescription drugs.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

Our community’s Spring Purge Your Pills Rx Drop Off will include 7 locations in Polk County for citizens to turn in unused, expired, or unwanted Human and Pet Medications for safe and proper disposal. Medications should be placed in a clear plastic bag. 

Drop-off locations on April 27^th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm are:

Auburndale Police Department – 2 Bobby Green Plaza, Auburndale, FL
Bartow Police Department – 450 North Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL
Haines City Police Department – 35400 Highway 27, Haines City, FL
Lake Alfred Police Department – 190 North Seminole Avenue, Lake Alfred, FL
Lake Wales Police Department - 133 East Tillman Avenue, Lake Wales, FL
Lakeland Police Department – 219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL   
Winter Haven Police Department – 125 North Lake Silver Drive NW, Winter Haven, FL

Previous prescription medication collections held in Polk County have resulted in nearly 3,000 pounds of recovered pharmaceuticals, which were safely disposed of via incineration. 

For folks unable to attend on April 27^th, medications may also be taken to the county’s permanent drop sites: Auburndale Police Dept. (2 Bobby Green Plaza, weekdays 8-5); Haines City Police Dept. (35400 Hwy 27, 24hrs/7days); Lake Alfred Police Dept. (190 N. Seminole Avenue, 24hrs/7days); Lakeland Police Dept. (219 N. Massachusetts Avenue, 24hrs/7days); or Winter Haven Police Dept. (125 N. Lake Silver Drive NW, weekdays 8-6). 

Medications may also be safely disposed of at home by dissolving them in water, mixing with coffee grounds or cat litter, pouring into a zip lock bag, and putting them in the trash. To avoid harming lakes and ground water, please do not dump any medications into the toilet.  

For more information on the local Pill Drop event or locations, please contact StandUP Polk at (863) 802-0777.