PARTNERS FOR PREVENTION IN ALLEGANY COUNTY
                                                    ... A Drug Free Communities Coalition ...Teen Action
ALCOHOL & CAFFEINE
DRINKS KILL.  

Graphic Art was developed by the
Allegany County BOCES Students of the
Media Technology Class
Youth Summit 2013 -What Do I Stand For?

March 13, 2013 ACCORD’s Teen Advisory Board (TAB)
hosted “The best Youth Summit yet!” Over 230 students
from across Allegany County participated in an inspiring day
of leadership and community service with TAB members,
Youth Services staff, and countless volunteers under the
guidance of Eileen Jacoby, Youth Services Events
Coordinator. Alfred University provided the venue, which
would not have been possible without the Children and
Youth Learning Initiative Director, Christopher Romanchock.

This year, TAB’s very own Kayla Ross, Belfast Senior,
literally set the stage for the day with an amazing
presentation about who she is and what she stands for (this
year’s theme). Students were inspired through her musical
performance with the assistance of fellow TAB members
and willingness to share her story.  Plato said, “Music gives
a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the
imagination and life to everything.” The 2013 Youth Summit
was a testament to the power music has in giving life to a
cause.  Within her keynote address Kayla used music to
bring the powerful message of, “Who am I?  What do I stand
for?” to her peers.  Kayla spoke of her struggles entering
high school, trying to identify who she was and where she fit
in.  She talked about how her journey, sometimes difficult
was guided by music.  She spoke of how music and To
Write Love on Her Arms founder Jamie Tworkowski’s story
inspired her to not give up when life got hard and to follow
her dreams.

The day continued with the traditional format of student
selected workshops.  Thirteen interactive workshops were
provided with the help of several volunteers.   After an AU
collegiate dining hall experience the day progressed with a
heart wrenching town hall meeting.  Panelists Myranda
Broadwell and Alan (last name withheld) provided testimony
of their own experiences as teens.  Alan spoke of a long
history of drug and alcohol abuse resulting in choices that
resulted in  juvenile detention, prison and eventually the
road to substance abuse recovery.  

Myranda spoke about becoming a teen mother choosing to
give birth and raise her child despite facing the possibility
of having a child with down syndrome. Myranda talked
about being the mother of a child with special needs and
the different paths she has had to choose to be a good
mother. She spoke of needing to become a mother first- a
student and teen second.  She spoke of the many
experiences that she had to forgo and urged her peers to
speak to their parents about sex at a young age. Students
received referrals for information to the town hall sponsor-
Partners for Prevention in Allegany County (PPAC). Find out
more at www.ppaccentral.org and the Allegany County T2T
textline for reproductive health questions- 585-808-1450.

The day was wrapped up with a purely teen approved
performance. Musicians from many of the participating
schools collaborated with Derek Briggs, Belfast Music
Instructor, to bring closure to this youth driven event through
a performance of “Hall of Fame” by The Script. The positive
energy of TAB members and Youth Workers radiated
throughout the day as brightly as their lime green t-shirts. A
special thank you to all who donated their time, expertise
and t-shirt funds!
On behalf of ACCORD Corporation and the Allegany County Teen Advisory Board we send our gratitude to all of those who helped
make the Youth Summit possible.  

A special thanks to our volunteers and sponsors!

Kaylan Buteyn                               Kaylan Buteyn Photography
Jon Cole                                       Houghton Wesleyan Church Youth Pastor
Jessica Jennings                           AU Service Learning and Youth Court Coordinator
Derek Briggs                                 Belfast High School Music Instructor
Laura Alexeichik                            Doctoral Student
Sherrie Voss Baroni                      TAB Parent
Shawnee Bigelow and guest Jay   Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse:  Trapping Brook House   
Aimee White                                  Houghton College Admissions Counselor
Marjorie McIntosh                          Assistant Director, Recruitment/Admissions JCC
Kathy Woughter                             Kathy Woughter Vice President for Student Affairs
Joelle Wolters                                Joelle Wolters Photography/ Olean Times Herald
Pam Witter                                     Houghton College Director of Development
Myranda Broadwell                        Panelist
Alan                                               Panelist

ACCORD 21st CCLC Programs        New York State 21st Century Community Learning Centers
ACCORD CAPP Programs                New York State Department of Health
Alfred University       
Partners for Prevention in Allegany County         
Wilderness Adventures           
Empire Cheese                                              
The Smiths         
Country Studios        
Stay Tuned for our newest Underage
Drinking Campaign called "The
Prom*IS*es Campaign!"  This was
developed by 4 students from the
Belfast High School.  Thank you to Jane
Foster of Literacy West and Belfast
School, with Kodi Franklin, Gabby
DeJac, & Ashlyn Brown.
Radio ads coming soon!