The Fieldhouse, where many have gym class, practices and go to basketball games, was filled with dignitaries and a special dog March 18. The new GameChanger program was introduced to students by Governor Jim Justice, Baby Dog and Mayor Tom Joyce.
The program is a student-led prevention program that is working on targeting the middle schools and elementary schools in West Virginia. Although few schools have the program implemented right now, West Virginia GameChanger plans to have the program in every West Virginia school by the fall of 2027.
“It is sort of like the old DARE program that they had in the elementary schools,” said GameChanger adviser Betsy Utt. “This one is very much student-led. It’s going to surround substance misuse but also academics, cheating, just responsible student actions and hopefully talking to the kids about how not everyone at the high school uses or makes the wrong choices.”
Utt and student leaders are working to find ways to reach students that will not only be fun but help them realize why consumption can be dangerous.
“This year I have us going into Edison Middle School to talk to each of the separate grades and Williamstown Middle School, and we will gear our presentations towards different things for different grades,” said Utt. “The kids will be putting on skits, talking to them about their choices and trying to do things in a more interesting way than just a straight lecture.”
Although the group is just starting out, they hope to grow the number of students involved.
“We only have 10 (members), but I’m looking for more students to join whenever,” said Utt. “We are really hoping to be active next year, so I’m hoping to get a lot of involvement.”
The program is helping PHS students learn how to be leaders and stand for what they believe is right while uniting students from different walks of life.
“It is a bunch of different people from different backgrounds and everything and it’s based around not being involved with drugs and making better choices,” said junior Izzy King, a student leader. “It has taught me leadership skills and how to communicate with others as well. It has also helped with learning how to express how you feel to others.”
To get involved in the GameChanger program students can see Utt in her room, 209C, or visit Student Wellness to get signed up.
“I think it can be a really good program but it’s going to be as good as the students make it,” said Utt. “So, if any students are interested in helping students make wise choices and (is) someone who has chosen not to use, or if you were a student who experimented with vaping or something like that in the past and you’ve realized that’s not your path, then you can still become part of the group.”
