Example's First Activity

Welcome back to school and to Example!  

Nothing says back to school like the first Example activity.  Clear your calendar for Saturday, September 17 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.  The cost is $3.00.  We'll meet in the cafeteria and move on from there for Example's  first activity of the school year.  

Remember, there are no dues, no secret handshakes, no fraternity or sorority rushes.  

With Example there is fun, some food and meeting people that share the same values.  Be sure to check out the videos from some of last year's events. The first event always involves paint, hands and declaring your support for Example, your friends and yourself.  Don't worry, the paint washes off....eventually.
 

God has showered us with so many earthly and heavenly blessings, in his Son our Savior, that we have a great opportunity to live in loving response to those gifts.  One way we can all do this is to reject the myth that alcohol and drugs are an inevitable part of high school.  We know they are not.  We know they are not part of God's plan for our lives.  We know He gives us the strength to resist satan's lies:  

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.  1 Corinthians 10:13

Yes, school is back and so is Example.  

We're waiting for you.

Gearing Up!

The planning for Example 2011 - 2012 is beginning.  We are looking forward to some great fun, great events and great ways to encourage high school students to avoid alcohol and drugs.  We are also looking forward to helping out parents with a variety of resources, encouragement and suggestions.

Plan on being a leader with your actions, voice and commitment to avoid alcohol and drugs.

Let the school year begin and let's start by making intelligent, God-pleasing decisions in response to the forgiveness, grace and mercy given to us through Christ's death and resurrection.

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

Teens and Extreme Drinking

Alarming information parents and students need to understand:

According to the CDC, about 90% of all teen alcohol consumption occurs in the form of binge drinking, which, experts say, peaks at age 19.

Why is Four Loko called Blackout in a can?

“Four Loko is everywhere,” says Gabby K., 17, a high school junior in New Jersey. “It tastes like candy, so you can drink a lot of it fast. It’s pretty potent and it only costs around $3 a can. It’s a faster way to get drunk without having to deal with the taste of liquor.”

Read the article for more information about the dangers and remedies for this growing problem.

Graduation party season is here

Graduation parties are underway and Example wants to remind parents to be vigilant and intelligent while celebrating this fantastic achievement. 

Parents hosting graduation parties:  Know the laws.  Serving alcohol to minors is illegal and can result in stiff penalties, including up to 90 days in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.  In addition, parents can be sued if they give alcohol to a teen and the teen is injured in any way.

Parents that think taking the car keys from underage drinkers is the solution, apparently have never heard of alcohol poisoning.  Alcohol poisoning kills underage drinkers every year. Know how alcohol poisoning affects the body, know the warning signs and never hesitate to get help. Shelby Allen's life may have been spared if somebody sought medical help sooner.

Parents, if you don't know what happened to Shelby Allen or think the dangers of alcohol poisoning are not real, stop reading this blog immediately and follow this link  and learn about her tragedy. 

Drug-Free Action Alliance offers these tips for parents hosting parties.

Kickball Tournament Champions: '98 Civics

The Second Annual Example Kickball Tournament was great fun.  The weather was perfect. Competition was fierce. Hot dogs were...hot.  Team Faculty is still undefeated.

Team Oreos used Double Stuff as a secret weapon.

Team '98 Civics had a great name and a great game plan: score more runs than the opponent.










Team Alumni journeyed back to the grounds to show that after a year of college they are smarter and better at kickball.  Based on their loss to the faculty team, they were half right.

Team Lakers used Coleson's hamstring injury as a rallying point but found it just wasn't enough to out-kick the American Idol Kickball Club Fans United.

American Idol Kickball Club Fans United was an amalgamation of talent, experience and base-running savvy.  However, it simply wasn't meant to be as they lost in the championship round to the '98 Civics. 

'98 Civics are the champions.  No time for losers because they are the champions....of the Example Kickball Tournament

The Example video technicians are working hard to compile video highlights of the event. 

Stay tuned....

2nd Annual Example Kickball Tournament

15 Shots Killed Shelby Allen

Parents, this is a must read.

Example doesn't try to shock students into not drinking for the weekend and that's not the reason we posted this article.  We want to educate parents and students about how a tragedy like this could occur and what we can do to prevent it from ever happening again. 

Take 15 minutes to read 15 Shots Killed Shelby Allen.  It will definitely be worth it.

A Great Resource for Parents

On Saturday, May7, Dr. Charlene Irvin was a guest on the Lutheran Radio show, Our World His View.  Earlier in the year, Example invited her to speak at one of our monthly activities. 
On Saturday's show Dr. Irvin spoke about her experiences as the Research Director at St. John's Hospital in Detroit and as a doctor in the emergency department.  She is also the mother of four Lutheran North graduates
Her advice to young men and women as well as their parents is direct, honest and insightful.  Take some time out of your schedule and click this link to listen to Dr. Irvin.  It will certainly be worth it.

Prom Balloons

The final activity for Example's Prom Week was to tie a balloon to every car in the parking lot.  The message to the students was from Psalm 18:2.  "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

We are not left alone to deal with the temptations of this life.  Our Creator reminds and encourages us that our strength is in His almighty and sovereign power.  With Him as our stronghold, with Christ as our strength we wear the robes of righteousness and are forever children of God.



Prom Assembly

On Wednesday, May 4 Example hosted an assembly and invited members of the community to share their experiences with the students and parents of Lutheran North.  Macomb Township Fire Chief Robert Phillips, Detective John Perry of the Macomb County Sheriff’s Youth Bureau, Lutheran North graduate and former teacher Rev. Josh Ball and two people who share their experiences about the negative affects alcohol has had in their lives.

The idea behind the assembly is to encourage everyone to make decisions that do not involve drugs and alcohol.  An event like Prom can be a great time without the deception, dangers and tragic decisions to use alcohol or drugs.

Example thanks the members of the panel and especially Nancy Donahue, the Director of Programs for Macomb Family Services  for moderating the panel discussion.

Read more about the assembly in the Macomb Patch. 

We also showed this video that reminds young men and women they have the strength to resist drug use and be a part of the solution.