Chronicling Example's Efforts

A recent article in the Macomb Township Chronicle featured Example. After reading the article, plan on attending our next even in December. Help us make a difference.

SHOCKtober

SHOCKtober was a great event for many reasons:

• The costumes were excellent.  Bella Ross was the best costume I've ever seen. 
• The pumpkins were creative creations. 
• There were no injuries. In itself that is an accomplishment because when the game is called Blindfold Scooter Relay Race, anything can happen. 
• Senior Noah Starkey offered great words of encouragement about why it's important to say something to your friends about their vaping, alcohol, and/or drug use. 
• The evening ended by watching a video produced by Families Against Narcotics that is posted below. Yes, we like to have fun and encourage each other to make Godly decisions concerning drugs and alcohol. We also want to educate these young men and women and that's exactly what the video did. 

Another great beginning ...

Example's first event of the year took place last night. More than 75 students had fun, laughed, met new people, heard more about the importance of iron sharpening iron, and gave and received encouragement to enjoy a school year without drugs and alcohol.
Thank you to all who attended. To God be the glory.

Example's First Event!

Example's first event for this school year is Saturday, September 28 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. This is a great way to begin the year by receiving or giving encouragement to help everyone make God-pleasing decisions concerning drugs and alcohol.

Lutheran North students only.
The cost is $3.00

Running Drugs Out of Town

Past, present, and future Mustangs converged at Family Against Narcotics' annual Run Drugs Out of Town 5k race. It was a great day to support family, friends, and neighbors who have been impacted by drug addiction.

Thank you to all the Example supporters for joining us at this wonderful event. While it may be difficult, Example believes encouraging young men and women to live a drug/alcohol free lifestyle is a worthy endeavor. Too many people have been affected by drugs and alcohol and we are trying to do all we can.

Thank you for supporting Example and your willingness to make a difference in the lives of others.

Help Example Help F.A.N. Run Drugs Out of Town!

Click here for more details.

Before Friday's chapel Renette, a freshman at Lutheran North, explained the background of Families Against Narcotics 

Hello,

I’m here to tell you about Families Against Narcotics. FAN is a community based program for those seeking recovery, those in recovery, family members affected by addiction, and community supporters. FAN is a non-profit, community based program that exists on government grants, donations, and fund raisers.

Its vision and purpose is to raise awareness to the dangers of prescription narcotics, support those affected by narcotics addiction and erase the stigma of addiction.  It started twelve years ago in the basement of a church in Fraser, Michigan in response to several overdose deaths at Fraser High School. Today there are twenty-four FAN chapters and over thirty monthly meetings offered to anyone searching for education and support as they or their family members journey through the perils of addictions.

FAN offers to the community, addiction education and support, peer recovery coaching for recovering addicts, family coaching, scholarships to those who have little income or no insurance, sober living housing and immediate access to detox and rehabilitation through Hope Not Handcuffs.

Did you know that 1 in 3 families struggle with addiction and it affects 82 million people in our country? No one can do this alone and that’s why it’s important to take advantage of these life-saving resources. FAN is hosting its annual 5k run/walk, Run Drugs Out of Town” on Saturday, June 15^th and Example will be there running, walking, and supporting all the families that have been affected. If you are interested in being a part of Example’s group, talk to Mr. Brandt.

Several Example and Lutheran North graduates making a difference.

May God bless you and the FAN families.

Thank you,

Renette

Why Don't 'Cool' Parents Grow Up?

During this graduation party season take advantage of the opportunity to be an example that models Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Prom enCOURAGEment

This morning, Leyna encouraged those attending prom to make the most of this year's prom:

Hi I’m Leyna Gatti and I won’t be drinking alcohol or using drugs on prom night. Everyone in this room has at least one more year in high school, and I think we can all agree that high school is hard. 

Aside from the academic aspect, you’re trying to fit in while at the same time trying to stand out. We’re all constantly making judgements about each other. You might want to be known for your brain, or your athleticism, or being funny. What you don’t want to be known as is the girl that drank at prom night and was acting crazy, or the boy that did something stupid while drunk. 

If you make the choice to drink, you could ruin relationships with your teachers or friends, and all the work you’ve put in to your reputation can go down the drain. We all know word travels fast around these halls, and I want what’s being said about me to be positive. However, we all find our identity in Christ and will be forgiven for whatever bad choices we make, but I’m going to take this opportunity to make a good one and I hope you will

More Prom Encouragement

This morning before chapel these two seniors shared why they are going to enjoy a drug/alcohol-free prom. Thank you, Alaina and Jake for your courage and willingness to encourage others.

I haven't always made the best decisions, but what I want you to know is that I have learned from those past mistakes.  On prom night, I am making the decision to have fun without alcohol. 

The beauty of our mistakes is that we grow and learn from them. 1 John 1:9 says “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I encourage you to make the decision to not partake in activities that include alcohol or drugs. 

Also, I encourage you to be the positive example for the people around you. You won't regret it, and neither will I. Always remember you're not alone, and choose wisely on prom night.  

Hi, my name is Jake Mlynarek and I won’t be drinking the night of prom. But you already knew that. But it’s not because of the possible consequences or the legal issues. 

Rather, it's because I don’t want to and I’m not afraid to say that. So if I can say it in front of the entire school, you can say it to your friends. Be safe on prom night

Prom Week!

Magistrate Andary addressed Lutheran
North's student body on Monday.

Prom week is always a great time. To help encourage students attending prom, before chapel a student explains why she or he will not be drinking or using drugs during this prom weekend. The goal is to encourage others to make safe, God-pleasing decisions. Example wants the entire student body and Lutheran North community to know that there are plenty of high school students attending prom drug and alcohol free. Not only can it be done, plenty of students are enjoying a drug/alcohol-free prom.

On Monday, Magistrate Jennifer Andary spoke to the student body and explained the legal consequences of drug and alcohol use. With her were three representatives from the Sherriff's office, including Lieutenant Kim Hill, a 2004 Lutheran North graduate. Magistrate Andary also explained the consequences of vaping and sexting. She emphasized the importance of making decisions that reveal respect for yourself and for others.

Before chapel on Monday, senior Kendall Carlin shared these words of encouragement with the student body:

I have a rhetorical question for you all: who do you say that you are?

Now I have another question for you: do your actions align with who you say you are?
This prom season, I challenge you to have who you say you are align with your actions. If your actions don’t yet align, take the initiative to change them. In romans 12:2 it says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Know that it is okay to say no. you do not have to conform to what others want or are pressuring you to do. During prom, before prom, after prom, whenever, know that who you say you are is more important than what others are trying to make you do.

Keep in mind these few things as you experience prom and the ending weeks of the school year. Who you say you are and what you do should always align. However, if you fail to do this, God’s mercy and grace will always be there for you.

Be safe this prom, and know you are not alone in saying no.

 

Before Tuesday's chapel, senior Lauren Mow shared this explanation with the student body.

 

Hi, my name is Lauren Mow and I have taken the PROMise not to drink or do drugs on prom night. So you may ask why? well it’s my senior prom and I want to be able to enjoy and remember every aspect of the night. I do not want to harm my family, friends, or myself because of a stupid decision. Alcohol and drugs are not needed to have a good time. I want to look back at my senior prom and remember having a good time with all my friends and most of all 2-stepping with Alexa Khacho and Arielle Cicchiti.

So on prom when you are faced with the decision, just know you are not alone in saying no. Thank you.

 

Another way Example encourages students to enjoy a drug/alcohol-free prom is to sign an Example PROMise and post them in the school's main hallway. We have all been blessed by Christ's righteousness and one way students can respond to that free gift of mercy is by enjoying a drug and alcohol free prom.