Meagan Figgins, Nederland. The NCTCC (Nederland Communities That Care Coalition) is a local organization that focuses on strengthening prevention resources, gathering and presenting data, and reaching out to struggling members within, and beyond, the community. Groups similar to the coalition in Nederland are found outside of our community, with Communities That Care coalitions spread all across the nation. Communities That Care is driven by a passion to help and engage youth in regards to substance abuse prevention, which the Nederland Coalition does very well. 

One of the branches of the coalition, the YLA, or the Youth Leaders, recently travelled to Keystone, Colorado. In Keystone they attended the Shared Risk Conference, focused on youth issues and involvement. While in Keystone, the presenters of the YLA (Helen Cross, Adam Figgins, Matthew McGregor, Carlos Medina, Olivia Medina, and Elysia Nitsch) delivered a presentation detailing the benefits, impacts, and methods of involving youth in community projects. They put a large amount of time into the preparation for the weeks events, and their hard work definitely paid off. They addressed their key points smoothly, swiftly engaged and interacted with the audience of interested youth and adults alike, along with being perfectly punctual and professional during the entire presentation. Even through the sporadic shouting of answers by audience members, a cell phone picking an unpleasant time to ring, and the stress of standing in front of a large audience, the presenters surely impressed all who attended. The presentation was very popular, bringing in over 80 viewers. After the presentation, several adults came to the presenters to exchange contact information and ask additional questions. During the rest of the three day conference the participating members of the coalition attended other presentations and workshops, gathering ideas and skills that will be applied in future coalition projects. 

The NCTCC was not the only local group being represented at the conference. Some past and current students from Chinook West High School also presented at and attended the conference. The Chinook presenters showcased their unique rural school and explained how it has greatly changed and bettered each of their lives. They each delivered moving speeches about their personal story, while also professionally presenting the details and inner workings of their school. At the end of their presentation they gracefully took questions from the intrigued audience. Not all Chinook students were heard at the conference, but the ones that came were more than able to present their meaningful views and stories. The presentation from Chinook West High School was sure to inspire and intrigue other adults and youth within the education system. 

Each Nederland group happily attended each other’s presentations, learned from keynote speakers, and met some great friends and mentors. A few attendees from Nederland even involved themselves in a slam poetry session during one of the evenings. By attending the conference the beauty and strength of the community of Nederland was made clear and public by the capable representatives.