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

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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.

 

 

Example's Christmas Party

Giving and receiving gifts are a part of Christmas. At the Example Christmas event there were gifts given, gifts received, and thanks for the greatest given to mankind: Christ our redeemer. 

Nearly fifty students attended the  Example Christmas party. Justin was also at the Christmas event and shared his story about his descent into drug addiction, the many struggles he faced because of it, and his life of recovery.  Justin, a recovering heroin addict, encouraged everyone in attendance to understand that the decisions we make always have consequences. Those consequences will be good or bad, depending on who they involve and how honest they are. After Justin's presentation we prayed for guidance and that the Lord would strengthen all of us to make healthy, drug-free decisions. It was great to hear Justin's story. 

From there the night involved Santa's Scooter Sleigh Race, a white elephant gift exchange, and the ugliest as well as the most creative Christmas sweater and costume.

Here are a few pictures and a short video that recap the evening. 

Thank you to everyone who attended. Spending a Saturday night at the school was never so important and so much fun.

Parents, Please Be Vigilant

Mason Mizwicki's story is tragic for so many reasons.

On Dec. 31, 2014, Mason Mizwicki was a fun-loving 16-year-old headed to a New Year’s Eve party.
That New Year’s Day, his family was grieving his death and planning a funeral.
The linebacker and academic standout from Watervliet High School had taken three methadone pills at the party. When friends noticed him struggling, they encouraged him to sleep it off, but he’d never wake up again. An accidental drug overdose took his life at 9 a.m. that morning.


"Where do they get them? Most often from the medicine cabinets of their families, friends and acquaintances. Huyser said she’s heard of young people attending open houses of strangers to raid their medicine cabinets and purchasing drugs online."

Continue reading the rest of this story...

Parents, be vigilant and always teaching. Always teaching.

Example Trunk or Treat

Decorate your car and be a part of Example's Trunk or Treat event 

on Saturday, October 27 from 4:00 -5:30 p.m.

Students in Example will decorate their cars 

and hand out candy to the young children in our community. 

There are a limited number of spaces, so contact Mr. Brandt to reserve your parking spot. 

Don't drive? No problem.

 Have mom or dad park the car while you decorate it.

Can't make the Trunk or Treat event? No problem.

From 5:30 - 6:30  

there will be a costume contest, pumpkin-carved contest, and best-decorated car contest.

Donuts and cider will also be available after the youngsters have received their sugary treats.

Example's First Event of the Year

We are excited about beginning the 2018 - 2019 school year!

Sure there might be a bit of construction dust, but that adds to the excitement: football games, choir concerts, recitations, running the mile, bumps, sets and spikes, hallway laughter, hearing we are alive in the mercy of Christ, artistic creations, theatrical performances and ............

Example. 

Our first event of the year is on Saturday, September 15 from 7-9 p.m. The cost is $3.00. There is no need to sign up. All you need to do is show up and be prepared to have fun, make a difference and receive encouragement to have a great high school experience without drugs and alcohol.  

Here's a snippet of what last year's first event was like.

Support Example by Supporting FAN

FAN has been a tremendous resource for Example. Help support this group by Running Drugs Out of Town.