Prom Week: Day Four

Today, two more students involved in Example explained to the student body why they will not be using drugs or alcohol this Prom weekend.

Thank you, Blaire and Paxton, for your courage to be involved in Example and for encouraging others to make healthy, God-pleasing decisions.

Prom Week: Day Three

After this morning's school devotions, Jordan explained to the student body her reasons for not drinking at Prom this weekend.

Good morning, everyone!

My name is Jordan and I would like to tell you that I won’t be drinking before, during, or after Prom. I would also like to invite you to join me. But instead of telling you what I don’t want to do on Prom night, I want to tell you about the things I do want to do on that night.

I want to take fun pictures with my friends. I want to stay on the dance floor all night. I want to sing the lyrics to every song as loud as I can. I want to make memories I will never forget and I want to return home safely at the end of the night, so I can wake up the next day and experience graduating in a few weeks.

If I drink, I can’t do those things.

At the end of the day, only you can make the choice whether to drink or not. I can’t make it for you. But, I can tell you that if you choose not to drink, you are not alone. I, and many others, will be standing beside you and encouraging you to remain alcohol free on Prom night. When the night is over, you will have to deal with the consequences..will you be able to look in the mirror and like what you see?

Thank you and have a great Prom night!

Students have also been signing Example PROMise sheets to encourage themselves and others to have a fun, and memorable, and safe, and selfie-taking, good-food-eating, drug and alcohol free Prom.  There is still plenty of room left on the wall for more PROMise sheets. Stop by Mr. Brandt's room, sign a sheet, get your Example wristband, and make a difference.

Prom Week: Day Two

Ken Daniels, play-by-play broadcaster for the Detroit Red Wings, spoke to Lutheran North's student body about the tragic death of his son, Jamie from a drug overdose.  Mr. Daniels' candor, compassion, and desire to make a difference is the reason he shared his family's tragic story.
One of Example’s goals is to encourage young men and women to make safe, healthy, and God-pleasing choices. Each year during Prom week, Example asks someone to address the student body so students may be encouraged to make alcohol and drug-free decisions.  This year Ken Daniels delivered an outstanding presentation concerning the dangers of drug use and they need to get this epidemic out in the open so everyone can deal with the horrific consequences.

-Video of this presentation will be made available at a later date.

 Here are some of Mr. Daniels' insights from the presentation:

"Jamie was lovely, loyal and he was so caring - always on the lookout for his best friend, his sister, during his time at Michigan State.

Jamie was about a whole lot more than his addiction. He wanted a better life, but addiction got a hold of him and it just wouldn’t let go.

Prescription drugs last year took more lives in Florida, where Jamie wound up passing, than cocaine and heroin combined. Four out of five heroin users started on prescription pain killers.

We need to talk about it. For the longest time we were ashamed of it…We can’t be scared to talk about addiction, both for the person suffering and for those affected by that person. To suffer in silence just worsens the epidemic. So let’s talk. We all have to join the conversation. That’s caring. That’s friendship. That’s loyalty. And that was my son.

We will continue to pray for Mr. Daniels’ family and for all families dealing with this deadly epidemic.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”   II Corinthians 1:3-4

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.