By Jim Beers, contributing writer
CHESTER – Monday afternoon March 21 students in District # 139 grades 6-12 were treated to an amazing assembly titled. “YOU MATTER”. The event was sponsored by the Southern Illinois Substance Abuse Alliance (SISAA) and was designed to let students know that there are people who really care about them in Randolph County.
Brent Swolsky speaks to students at Chester High School Monday March 21 during an assembly titled, “YOU MATTER”. The event was sponsored by ComWell and the Southern Illinois Substance Abuse Alliance. Jim Beers Photo
SISAA members in attendance included Mariah Bargman, SISAA Chair; Rhonda Wilson, SISAA Vice Chair and NAMI Staff Person for Randolph County; Tony Glasser, Shannon Glasser, Dennis Trask, Youth Prevention Coordinator, and John Reith, ComWell Recovery Coordinator.
To start the assembly Mariah Bargman welcomed everyone to the assembly and introduced Guest Speaker Brent Swolsky.
Bargman then thanked several donors who made the event possible. Bargman said, “I want to thank the following businesses and individuals for their financial donations and overall support of these assemblies and the Teen Summit held in conjunction with the event. Those included the Red Bud Dairy Queen, Pistol City and Jim and Julie Angel, in memory of their niece Emily whose life was cut short by drug misuse.
Chester High School students, teachers and administrators hosted an assembly Monday March 21 titled, “YOU MATTER”. The event was hosted by ComWell, Southern Illinois Substance Abuse Alliance. Pictured here are CHS administrators and ComWell members along with guest presenter, Brent Swolsky, following the assembly. (Left to right): Robin Barton, CHS Assistant Principal; Tony Glaser, Life Recovery Pastor; Shannon Glaser, ComWell; Rhonda Wilson, Vice Chairperson, SISAA; Dennis Trask, Youth Prevention Coordinator, ComWell; Brent Swolsky, Guest Speaker; Brittany Riggins, ComWell; and Melissa Meyer, CHS Principal. Jim Beers Photo
Dennis Trask, Youth Prevention Coordinator for Comwell, said, “When young people know that someone cares, it makes a difference. Everything we have done over the years has been done to promote care in one way or another.”
“While working in a committee on student survey data may not feel like it demonstrates care, in the long run it does.”
On Monday and Tuesday March 21 and 22 Comwell staff accompanied guest speaker, Brent Swolsky to four different schools in Randolph County to help him spread his message of hope.
To begin the two-day event, SISAA staff and Swolsky hosted a Teen Summit which was hosted at the Sparta World Shooting Complex. The students were trained in knowing what to look for in their fellow classmates that could lead to dangerous issues such as drugs, alcohol, and etc. High school students from Coulterville, Marissa, Red Bud, and Sparta attended the training.
Trask said, “As many of you have heard me say before, student involvement in coalition work is a test. When students participate, we are passing the test. When they do not, we need to rethink what we are doing.”
“Over the years, we have involved over 100 students in prevention efforts in our schools. It is safe to say we are passing the test! In fact we are on the honor roll and are eagerly working to get better.”
The prevention training event on Monday morning was deemed a success and now, more students in Randolph County schools are more informed and trained to help their fellow students in times of trials and tribulations.
Monday March 21 in the afternoon the first assembly was held at Chester High School where Chester Grade School students in grades 6-8 were transported to Colbert Gymnasium to join CHS students in grades 9-12 for the presentation. The assembly started at 1:00 p.m. and included students, teachers, and administrators from both CGS and CHS. The assembly lasted approximately one hour.
Tuesday March 22 the group traveled to the three other Randolph County Schools to spread the message that, “YOU MATTER”. At 8:30 a.m. Coulterville experienced the assembly followed by Steeleville at 10:15 a.m. and Sparta at 1:00 p.m.
Comwell staff were encouraged to attend as many of the assemblies as possible to show support for the students as well as presenter, Brent Swolsky. Doing so was one way that Comwell staff could let students know that there are people out there who really care for them!
Brent Swolsky has been an educator for 22 years. During that time he has been a special education teacher and a high school counselor. Since he worked with students every day, he quickly learned to understand first-hand the power of interpersonal communication.
Dennis Trask said, “Utilizing best practices in education, and with a mindful approach to programming, Brent strives to empower youth in making healthy choices in their lives, free from alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.”
In 2019 Brent was selected to receive the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health Prevention Leader Award. The roots of positive living run deep for Brent, and he’s always excited to share his adventures with others.
At Chester High School, Brent took the floor with lots of enthusiasm and engaged the students immediately. He shared his life experiences with the students, teachers and administrators throughout the entire presentation.
Early in the presentation Swolsky had the students stand and face each other for a live experiential learning exercise. Students had to learn to shake hands firmly while looking directly into the eyes of the other person working across of them.
The bottom line was to tell students how important it is to establish good communication skills with others. By looking at others in the eye while speaking, and offering a firm, meaningful hand shake, it is more likely that one will bond with that person and let them know you are really listening in a meaningful manner.
Swolsky then spoke to students about establishing a 5-year plan which gives them direction and goal-oriented living plans on which to guide their lives. By maintaining progress checks on goal attainment and actively thinking about how they are living based upon their goals and expectations, it is easier for students to be successful by practicing such goal-oriented, healthy behavior.
During this portion of the presentation Swolsky had participants close their eyes and take part in a guided imagery exercise to help them understand his meaning of establishing and maintaining a 5-year plan.
Toward the end of his presentation Swolsky stressed the importance of everyone knowing and realizing that…”YOU MATTER” and because you do matter, there are many sources of support in the community and at school to assist when problems get too large to handle alone.
At one point in this portion of the assembly, Swolsky had volunteers come down on the floor to take part in an exercise which demonstrated how support and trust can be huge helping factors in times of need.
In conclusion, the assembly ended with a reassurance from Swolsky that by establishing and maintaining the “three steps” he had demonstrated and stressed during the presentation, i.e., 1) learning to communicate well and develop positive connections; 2) establish and monitor a 5-year plan; and 3) to find and use support systems in our lives and in the community, that people can survive troubled times and live successful lives.
All students in attendance received a bright yellow wrist band inscribed with the words, “YOU MATTER” to remind them that people do care about them and are there for them in times of need.
They also received a beautiful business-sized card to carry with them which lists several sources of HELP when needed. The card has a phone number for a SUICIDE HOTLINE and a number for other types of crisis. A third number is a place to call for CALM TALK at times when anonymous talk or discussion is desired.
In addition, teachers, staff and administrators received educational materials to help them to prevent underage drinking and other drug use. By knowing how to identify students who are at risk and recognize the signs of alcohol and drug use, school staff members can play a powerful role in prevention!
Teachers and staff can help at risk students by just talking with students, being a good source for information, using personal stories to help students understand issues, and by helping students build an exit plan to deal with escaping peer pressure of getting involved with drugs and/or alcohol.