Westshore Young Leaders connect at the Rec

Westshore Young Leaders enjoy a night "locked in" the Westlake Rec Center.

On March 2, teens from six Westshore high schools attended the second annual Westshore Young Leaders Network (WYLN) lock-in at the Westlake Recreation Center. The Westshore Young Leaders is a leadership program that was developed by the Westshore Enforcement Bureau (WEB  in August 2010 to promote alcohol and other drug free choices for middle and high school teens. 

WYLN hosted this event, providing 137 teens with an evening of fun during which some played basketball, volleyball and corn hole while others relaxed in the sauna and the pool’s lazy river. D.J.s played tunes for line dancing and singing karaoke. A photo booth with props was a popular new addition to the event this year.   

The wide variety of activities available provided something fun for everyone. A delicious pasta bar complete with salad and garlic bread sticks kept energy up for the night’s activities. School administrators, teachers, resource offices, counselors and parents along with WEB staff chaperoned the event.  

Twenty-six teams consisting of five or six teens each were given poster board and markers and commissioned with the task of creating a media message that conveys a positive approach for alcohol and other drug free choices. Posters were judged for their creativity by a group of chaperones. 

Prizes for first, second and third place winners were awarded gift cards for iTunes, Target and Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream. The posters will be displayed in local merchants’ windows in each of the Westshore communities: Bay Village, Westlake, Fairview Park, Lakewood, North Olmsted and Rocky River; promoting a positive message from teens to teens.

All in attendance received a T-shirt donated by Cleveland Printwear, a sponsor for the event. Poppee’s Popcorn located in Elyria generously provided cheese corn again this year.  The Westshore Enforcement Bureau’s Special Agent in Charge Jeff Capretto and this writer meet with the Young Leaders monthly and are pleased to know that there isn’t a shortage in our Westshore communities of young people who are focused on positive goals, developing leadership skills and making a contribution at home, in school and in the community.