S.T.A.N.D.ing Strong

On Wednesday, April 22nd, Aurora Central’s S.T.A.N.D. organization visited two local grade schools, Archbishop Romero and Our Lady of Good Counsel, to promote good choices and healthy lifestyles. Led by Ms. Troutman and Mr. Nohl, the group is made up of: Ethan Romba, Kara McNamara, Tori Romba, Billy Costigan, Zane Kirkpatrick, Grace Kirkpatrick, Jamie Minott, Rachel Gonzalez, Erica Huggins, Autumn Gilligan, Ryan Werrline, Lorena Arriaga, and Silvia Azcona. This enthusiastic and dedicated group performed a skit that presented common social issues, such as eating disorders, drug usage, self-injury, driving while drunk, racism, teen pregnancy, verbal abuse, enabling, and STDs. The skit’s message was to be responsible with your words and actions to protect not only yourself, but others too through making good choices, following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. After the presentation, the audience was divided into small groups for discussion with two S.T.A.N.D. members. At this time, the students were reminded of the different places where they can find help for any of the issues presented, the importance of making positive decisions, and withstanding negative peer pressure. It was a gleaming beacon of success in the dark night sky of bigotry, negativity, and hatred.