Versailles High School senior Hunter Deters and junior Hope Heimsoth have been selected to be youth ambassadors for Missouri's Youth/Adult Alliance's (MYAA) Youth Ambassador Program.
According to Morgan County CLEAR Coordinator Donna Chapman, each student who becomes a youth ambassador gains confidence to be an advocate in the field of substance abuse prevention. This includes grassroots advocacy through community mobilization and transformation, and advocating at the state capitol with legislators.
"The goal is that the students will leave the program feeling empowered to create change in their community - no matter how big or small," she said in a news release about the students' achievements.
Youth ambassadors play an integral role in the overall development and operation of MYAA's statewide underage drinking prevention initiative. MYAA's adult members will work together with the Youth ambassadors in planning and implementing prevention practices and programs, as well as yearly events including the annual statewide youth conference, Speak Hard and annual Prevention Day at the Capitol, Chapman said.
Youth ambassadors will be expected to serve in leadership roles within their community. They may be called upon to represent MYAA at conferences, media events, and other types of engagements throughout their term as a youth ambassador. The term will be through the end of the 2016-17 school year, according to Chapman.
Members of MYAA's Youth Ambassador Program are hardworking and well-versed individuals who have demonstrated their commitment by reaching out to peers, friends and younger students. Youth ambassadors shall serve as role models for other students and agree to abstain from using drugs and alcohol, Chapman said.
Deters and Heimsoth are involved in Versailles High School prevention activities, including being members of CLEAR coalition, Tobacco Free Tigers and Students Against Destructive Decisions. Deters is involved in volunteering for a number of community organizations such as Camp Wonderland, church activities and coaching youth soccer. At school she also participates in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), according to Chapman.
Heimsoth is involved in many school organizations and sports, including volleyball, golf, manager boys' basketball and baseball, Fellowship for Christian Athletes, Beta Club, National Honor Society, German Club and Chamber Choir.
"Hunter and Hope wish to make a difference in the world," Chapman said. "They feel the work that they do is very satisfying."
Through donations from local community groups, funding will cover all expenses for the youth ambassador's work. Knights of Columbus, Shrine of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Laurie are sponsoring Deters. Past Exalted Rulers Association of Osage Community Elks Lodge 2705 in Laurie is sponsoring Heimsoth. Morgan County CLEAR coalition nominated both students to serve in the program.