Prom Week: Day One

It's Prom week and Example is doing all it can to encourage students to make safe and God-pleasing decisions not to use drugs or alcohol.

This week, before each chapel, several students will explain why

drugs and alcohol will not be a part of their Prom plans. Today, seniors Michael and Rachel addressed the student body and explained why they will enjoy a great Prom, have fun with their friends, and have so many memories all without the use of drugs and alcohol. Thank you for your encouragement and your willingness to make a difference.

 

 Rachel's Four Reasons For You to Read:

1. I’ve been waiting for this night. I’ve been preparing for this night for a long time. I want to remember dancing and having fun with my friends, Lindsey and Elli
2. I don’t want my date to worry about me.  I’m already a handful so I don’t want Jake to have another reason to worry about me.
3. I’m an athlete and play soccer here at Lutheran North. I don’t want to jeopardize the team or myself or deal with the mental, emotional, physical or spiritual consequences.
4. Finally, I want to be an example. I want people to see me dancing and having fun and know I’m doing that without relying on drugs or alcohol.
   

Hello, my name is Michael and I am a member of Example. Today I will be speaking to you on why I will not be doing drugs or consuming alcohol before, during, during and after Prom.
    The use of drugs and alcohol impairs your decision making and reaction time which can have dangerous consequences especially when driving. I, unfortunately, knew a man who was killed by a driver under the influence. It does happen and it is dangerous to think you will never be the one to cause an accident because you can supposedly handle the effects of drugs or alcohol.
    Like many of you, I am not just responsible for myself, but also for my date. I love her and need to keep her safe, not only for her parents but for her Heavenly Father as well.  Value comes from who she is. I will stay sober to keep her safe on the road and all other stages of the night.
    For the seniors, graduation is right around the corner. It'll be a great time filled with joy with friends and family. We have all worked hard over the past four years to get here and our parents and loved ones can't wait to see us walk across that stage at graduation. That is not something I am willing to risk for one night.
    For many, college follows. We have all worked really hard to get accepted into our colleges so why put the next four years in jeopardy for one night?
    Your decisions have consequences that can last for the rest of your lives.  Please think before you act - if not for yourselves then for your parents, friends, and loved ones.
    I hope you all have a great time.

 

Students are also signing Example PROMise contracts. It's a great way to let our community know that there are many young men and women making safe, God-pleasing decisions. We post these in the main hallway to remind students that there are a lot of students who are making safe, healthy, God-pleasing decisions this weekend.

Thank you, everyone.

 

Congratulations and Thank You

Congratulations, Jordan Prisby!

For her leadership and involvement with Example, Lutheran North’s anti-drug/alcohol group, Jordan was honored with the Macomb County Prevention Coalition’s Student Leader Award.  Macomb County Prosecutor, Eric Smith recognized young men and women in Macomb County who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in their schools and communities. 

Jordan has been involved with Example for four years. Her leadership and encouragement have helped make a difference in the Lutheran North community. She encourages others with her words and actions and is proof that drugs and alcohol do not have to be a part of the high school experience.  

Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Prisby for raising your daughter in the instruction, care and love of Christ.

Thank you, Jordan, for your encouragement, for your leadership, and for being an Example for others to follow.

"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." - I Timothy 4:12

Example Winter Olympics 2018

Over sixty athletes competed in the Example Winter Olympics. Because of their willingness to make a difference, they are all gold medal winners.

Understanding the Opioid Epidemic

Watch this trailer for the PBS special, Understanding the Opioid Epidemic

Let the Games Begin!

After four years of training, dreaming, and stretching, Example Olympics returns on Saturday, February 24, from 7-9 p.m.

Countries will be competing against each other in some of the most grueling Example Winter Olympic competitions known to man. Here are just a few of the death-defying events

Human Luge: scooters and an obstacle course that will make American Ninja Warrior look like a preschool playground.

Biathlon: guns and skis

Curling: scooters and eye-hand coordination and humanity

Bobsled: Plastic sleds and bobs and the football field and snow and stadium lights and brute strength

Hockey Shootout: hockey sticks and tennis balls and goalie masks. Why masks? Safety first, people. Safety first!

See you on Saturday, February 24.

Blue Cross to limit opioid scripts to 30-day supply

Jay Greene's latest article in Crain's Detroit Business discusses the recent move by Blue Cross to limit opioid prescriptions to a 30-day supply.   Here are few excerpts from the article that explain the decision:

• In Michigan, 1,365 people died of opioid overdoses in 2016, compared to 884 in 2015 and 426 in 2012, meaning Michigan's overdose rate has tripled since 2012, said the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
• Doctors, pharmaceutical companies and health insurers have been criticized over the past two years for their roles in enabling the opioid addiction crisis.
• Physicians have taken steps to limit prescriptions after surgeries and ensure patients have true pain and are not doctor shopping. Many providers and first-responders have also been trained to use naloxone opioid overdose kits.

Read the entire article

Gifts Were Plentiful at Example's Christmas Party

Example's Christmas event featured a great speaker, great games, great gifts, great pizza and great students giving and receiving encouragement to each other.

Mr. Steve Fox, Macomb County assistant prosecuting attorney, spoke to the students and explained the legal and criminal ramifications of using and possessing drugs and alcohol. He also applauded the students for being a part of Example and their willingness to make a difference.  Below are some excerpts from his presentation.

Lindsey and Jordan won the Most Creative and the Ugliest Christmas sweater awards. The raucous white elephant gift exchange included a potpourri of gifts: a 2001 country Christmas cd, Twilight and popcorn to boost the viewing experience, Justin Bieber wrapping paper, and an actual white elephant!

Thank you to everyone who attended.

SHOCKtober 2017

In Macbeth, Shakespeare offers a recipe for a gruesome concoction as the three witches add some interesting ingredients to the cauldron:

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.
Fillet of a fenny snake, 
In the cauldron boil and bake; 
Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog, 
Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting, 
Lizard’s leg, and howlet’s wing, 
For a charm of powerful trouble...

At Saturday's SHOCKtober event, there were no newt eyes, dog tongue, or bat wool.
There was, however, a dash of laughter, a heaping of creativity, a pinch of competition and more than generous amounts of a desire to make a difference.
Once again, high school students demonstrated that alcohol and drugs aren't needed to have fun.




"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 
                                                        - I Timothy 4:12

Homecoming Advice for Parents

Example is reposting this article from 2012. 

Parents,
Homecoming isn't too far away and it's a great opportunity to be an Example to your son and/or daughter.  Here are some tips for parents taken from another web site. 

q  Know where your teenager will be.  Obtain the phone number and address of the party giver.  Agree that your teenager will call if he goes to another location.

q  Personally contact the parents of the party-giver.  When you call: verify the occasion, offer support or assistance, make sure an adult will be present, and be certain that alcohol and other drugs will not be permitted.

q  Know how your teenager will get to and from the party.  Let your teen know that you, or a specified friend or neighbor, can be called if a ride home is needed for any reason.  Discuss with your teenager the situations which might make such a call necessary.  Reinforce that under no circumstances should your teenager allow someone who has been taking drugs or drinking alcohol to drive them anywhere.

q  Determine with your teenager a reasonable curfew.  Be awake or have your teen awaken you upon arrival home.  Being up and available when your teen comes home encourages communication and could alert you to a potential problem.

q  If your teenager stays overnight with a friend after the party, personally check with the parents.  Be sure they will be home and want your teen to stay over.  Spontaneous “sleep-over” arrangements should always be confirmed with the host parents.

Last May Example reminded parents about the legal responsibilities of hosting parties.  Look it over as you plan Homecoming activities this year.

The Lord has blessed us with children and with those blessing also come responsibilities.  

"Train up a child in the way he should go; 

even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6 

Launching Example for 2017 - 2018

Our first event of the year was great fun and great encouragement. Not only did we laugh and eat more pizza than humanely possible, we also heard from two seniors who gave great advice about making God-pleasing decisions, taking care of yourself and your friends.  Thank you to everyone who helped make our first event a great time.

Thank you Jordan and Michael for leading by Example.

If you couldn't make it, plan now for our next event on Saturday, October 28 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.