Celebrating positive choice
Published 8:34 am Monday, April 30, 2018
- Willow Sweeny was Thursday night’s keynote speaker at Austin Positive Action Coalition’s Positively Austin program. Photos provided
More than 100 people gathered at the Jay C Hormel Nature Center Thursday night for the second annual Positively Austin event.
The event was sponsored by the Austin Positive Action Coalition (APAC) that was formed just over a year ago as part of a planning and implementation grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Behavioral Health Division. The grant focuses on the positive decisions our young people are making and the Positively Austin event continued that theme. Three members of the Austin community were recognized for their positive efforts in our community.
Three people were recognized and were recipients of the “Above the Line” awards during the program for their positive impacts they’ve had on the youth in the community. Brianna Kuster presented to Jim Ypparila.
Chris Lukes, Jim Ypparila and Debra Schmit were the recipients of the Positively Austin “Above the Line” awards. APAC established the Positively Austin awards last April to give recognition to individuals who are making a positive impact in the lives of our youth and our community. All the award winners found ways to focus on the positive instead of the negative in personal and professional lives.
Three people were recognized and were recipients of the “Above the Line” awards during the program for their positive impacts they’ve had on the youth in the community. Mary Holtorf presented to Chris Lukes
Three people were recognized and were recipients of the “Above the Line” awards during the program for their positive impacts they’ve had on the youth in the community. Steve King presented to Debra Schmit.
STAND (Students Taking A New Direction) members from the high school were also on hand to share the impacts the new student group has had on their lives. Chandler Pratt, a junior at AHS, shared the leadership experiences he was able to take part in as a member of the group. Leadership experiences that he will benefit over his lifetime. Lorena Narvaez, another AHS student, shared her fear of large groups but as a result of STAND she was in front of the crowd explaining how the student group has benefitted her.
The evening was closed with Internationally known keynote speaker, Willow Sweeney. Sweeney shared her connections to Austin and used humor to draw the crowd into her message. The message was simple, we are all responsible for how we respond to the twists and turns in our lives. Sweeney shared many simple personal stories to explain a complicated topic called social emotional health. Sweeney reminded everyone that we have the power and ability to share the positive.
Bill Spitzer is the Planning and Implementation (P & I) Coordinator working closely with APAC (Austin Positive Action Coalition). APAC and Bill will be working with our schools and community as part of a 5-year grant focusing on Positive Community Norms. Feel free to contact him at the Austin High School 507.460.1800 ext. 0361 or via e-mail bill.spitzer@austin.k12.mn.us. This grant is made possible by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Behavioral Health Division and hosted locally by the PRC. To learn more about the Parenting Resource, visit their website at www.familiesandcommunities.org
