On December 6th, 3 select students from Clinton’s REACT (Reality Even Affects Clinton Teens) Organization, Kasey Allin, Whittney Treubig, and Kierra Baker were chosen as recipients for the Coalition Sector All Star Award. These students attended an annual 9:00 am meeting at Back Nine Tavern in New Britain, for CAPP, an association of prevention advocacy throughout Connecticut.
The Coalition Sector All Star Award is given to students and individuals who have made significant “all star’ contributions. According to the CAPP Association, their contributions included “focusing on excellence, recognition, and impact in their community”, whether that be volunteering in a town event, or attending nationwide conferences.
Kierra Baker has been making these significant contributions since her freshman year in REACT, and said that it has made a huge impact on her. “I found that it was a great way to help the people in my community, whether that be just a classmate or the entire town. Learning and talking about prevention and beginning to advocate for it brought a positive change to my life. I’m honored and really thankful for being able to receive this award today, because all my hard work has paid off for this moment.”
Whittney Treubig has been involved in REACT since 4th grade, and stated, “I joined REACT because I wanted to educate my peers about substance abuse, and how it affects their mental health, and how mental health plays an extremely important role in day to day lives.”
During the award ceremony, the three upperclassmen were recognized for their hard work and efforts made through their sector at a breakfast accompanied by their parents. Kierra Baker stated, “I’m proud that I was able to share my experiences and advocate for drug awareness at various conferences and meetings that I have attended throughout my past 3 years in REACT.”
Since 2011, meetings and trips through REACT funded by town grants were meant to create a positive influence for those attending, focusing on healthy behaviors and avocation. Every REACT meeting focuses on a different problem seen throughout Clinton teens. In the past year, these three award recipients have traveled to Chicago, Ohio, and various cities in Connecticut to attend conferences to attend workshops on prevention, and have constantly shown drive and attendance in REACT.
Substance abuse and mental health declination has been a rising Connecticut issue in recent years. According to Drug abuse statistics, teenagers in Connecticut are 7.5% more likely to have used drugs in the last month than the average American teen. 24,000 of 12-17 year olds had reported using drugs in the last month. Additionally, 70% of students reported their mental health was “not good” almost every month. REACT has been an organization that spreads awareness on these issues, trying to find a common solution for Clinton Teens.
CAPP, also known as The Connecticut Association of Prevention Professionals, is an organization founded in the 1980s which plans to make substance abuse prevention a priority in Connecticut, celebrating healthy choices, and responding proactively to behavioral health issues. CAPP was officially incorporated into CT in November 1991. 
CAPP has partnered with various organizations in CT as part of their prevention project funded through the CT Department of Mental Health to provide prevention explainer videos to youth and any community who wants to learn the role of prevention in their everyday lives. CAPP also plans to expand and update professional development and continue education opportunities in their field.
These three students have worked extremely hard in their sector and for avocation throughout Connecticut and nationwide. Congratulations go out to the recipients of this award, as their efforts and drive for their coalition have finally been recognized in the world of prevention.
