Junior and senior Peer Teaching students boarded a bus to the outdoor Camp Wyman in Wildwood, Mo. for the annual two-day retreat for new members.  While at camp, the students learned about the importance of integrity and remaining drug-free. 

Students were exempt from school as they participated in team-building activities, presentations and interactive group work, which included interactions with peer teachers from other schools. 

“The stories that were told were heartbreaking and depressing and those are the stories that people don’t want to hear but need to be told,” junior Sara Davis said. “Everyone is affected [by nicotine, drugs and alcohol] in some way, shape or form. It isn’t as easy as not drinking or doing drugs. It’s so much more than that. It’s being an example to others and helping them learn.” 

During the retreat, students prepared to teach seventh graders at Parkway West Middle as they listened to stories from people across the nation who lived with the consequences of drug, alcohol and nicotine addictions. 

“We watched a video of a speech from Chris Herron that was really impactful. He said that anyone can do drugs or drink alcohol in an attempt to fit in, but it takes true courage and strength to be able to walk into a party and be comfortable and confident with being yourself without those things,” junior Lindsay McDonald said. 

Senior Ryan Egan was inspired by the retreat and hopes to apply what he learned to his future career.

“I aspire to be a musician and I know that the profession is ridden with alcoholism and drug addiction, so I hope to avoid that,” Egan said, “You can never understand what someone has gone through, but you can always be there to support them and spread positivity to affect those around them.”