Tamaqua’s STEP-Up club focuses on more than drug prevention

High school is stressful, just ask anyone who has ever been a high school student.

The academic load is tougher. There are more responsibilities, more pressure to firm up your future, peer pressure and fewer opportunities to be just a kid. Although there are more opportunities to make new friends through sports, clubs and groups, fear of the future and of the unknown tends to keep those groups small.

Each high school is the same, as well as being different.

While most of the extracurricular activities at Tamaqua Area High School are well-represented with students, most people in the district would say the Tamaqua Area Raider Marching Band would boast the largest number of student participants. They would be wrong.

The largest student group at Tamaqua high school is actually the Raider STEP-Up club. With 237 members, the club has attracted almost one-third of the total student population to its ranks.

Started in 2016 as an offshoot of Tamaqua STEP-Up, a group created to try to stem the opioid crisis, the student-led initiative ended that school year with 20 members. In 2017, the membership increased to 84, which led to more visibility and an increase in student-oriented events, which provided avenues for students to discuss drugs, alcohol and mental health issues among themselves and with adults.

Brainstorming

Those open conversations led the way to a brainstorming/leadership training session on Tuesday morning. Guest speakers included Tamaqua Superintendent Raymond Kinder, Tamaqua Station Restaurant owner John Ross, Tamaqua Community Arts Center Director Leona Rega and Tamaqua Area Community Partnership Director Micah Gursky. After listening attentively to the speakers, the 145 students at the session gathered into groups, each with a student leader.

The students brainstormed ideas on ways to help their fellow students while easing some of the pressures of high school. Student leaders then presented those ideas to the ensemble. More pep rallies, being able to decorate their locker fronts, dress-down days for charity, animal therapy days, a social media page listing all of the school community’s events, a reward system for good deeds along with more and varied assemblies were all seen as part of the answer.

The students want to hear guest speakers from all walks of life, including artists, authors, people in recovery, local success stories (not necessarily related to college degrees), and people who have found happiness while dealing with real-life problems. They would also like to see more student body activities as a whole, with the student body policing itself.

Adults speak

Caitlin Miller, adult co-leader of the group, reminded them of the power they share.

“If all of you come to an event and bring a friend who is not a member of Raider STEP-Up, that would mean almost the entire school is involved. If you’re not coming to these events, you end up being part of the problem,” Miller said.

In addition to Miller, dedicated faculty members and administrators include school nurse Cathy Miorelli, Principal Tom McCabe and teachers Amanda Woodring, Kim Woodward, Jen Curcio, Christine Kostecky and Phil Traube.

Ross told the students of the issues he faced in life and how they led to his involvement with the community.

“I’ve been fortunate, given the opportunity to turn my life around,” Ross said. “I’m grateful for being able to share and uplift the community.”

Rega spoke of individual happiness and “ways that our attitude affects everyone around us. We all need the support of our peers. Find a way to provide that support. Say something nice every day.”

Student leaders

Emily Amershek sees Raider STEP-Up as more than just a drug prevention program.

“It’s a community organization which allows us to come together and brainstorm ideas to bring positive points to the school and town in general.”

Miranda Chinchar said the “brainstorming sessions, in smaller groups, made it easier to express our thoughts and come up with ways to de-stress during the school day.”

Rebekah Hromyak admitted, “School days can be a drag. It was nice to share ideas on ways to improve school, build everyone’s morale and make each day better.”

Lizzie Wagner gave partial credit for the jump in club member numbers to Principal McCabe and Assistant Principal Tara Orefice. “They have a lot to do with the more positive attitude we are seeing in school this year. They are interested in hearing student ideas and providing a better environment for the students.”

Matt Franklin sees a “huge shift in school spirit and student involvement this year. There are more events with a wide variety of kids coming together, providing encouragement and opportunities.”

Brooke Williams summed it up by saying, “Students aren’t afraid to share their ideas, knowing the adults are actually listening.”