The YESS class (Youth Empowerment Sustainability and Service) at Pine Bush High School brought attention to Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month last Wednesday, Oct. 16, by spreading the word and educating their fellow students on the prevalence of domestic violence and how to prevent it.
On Wednesday, many students and staff throughout the high school wore purple, the color representing Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Students from the class gathered statistics and educational questions for the student body to learn how to prevent and report domestic violence. Many members of the class were stationed outside of the cafeteria during lunch periods, getting their fellow PBHS students to take a guess at some statistics or questions on the topic. In return, they learned about this issue that affects more than 12 million Americans each year, and they got a temporary tattoo or their face (or hand) painted! Many were happy to have their picture taken in the photo booth!
Leading up to Wednesday, the YESS class made public service announcements and posted them on social media to spread the word about domestic violence awareness to their friends.
Shalise Townes, a prevention education advocate from Fearless!, was on hand as well, answering students’ questions about domestic violence. The YESS class has Fearless! representatives come into their classroom twice a month to deliver workshops of violence prevention. At the end of the school year, YESS students will receive a “Mentoring in Violence Prevention” certificate.
Excellent job to our YESS students, their teacher Kara Sprague, and Ms. Townes!