Vernon families empowered at event

VERNON — “Mommy, did you do it? There's a parent pledge,” asked one young participant, April 4, at the Vernon Coalition “Families Empowered Vernon Town Hall.”
One part of the community event was for parents and students to sign pledges to each other. Parents pledged to help their children live addiction free-lives; and students pledged to follow safeguards in order to protect their future.
Almost 250 people enjoyed a complimentary family dinner; Sodexo and Vernon Township School District sponsored the dinner and evening.
Vernon Coalition Coordinator Rebecca Dorney introduced the evening program saying, “Tonight is about your kids, information, and family bonding activities. We believe in families; and we believe in our kids.”
Youth Coordinator Gemma Chalkley introduced the Vernon Coalition Youth Group students, who presented an interactive presentation, including family-building activities. Students challenged participants with facts regarding underage drinking, including: brain damage, addiction, behavior, and the law.
Junior Michael Kubik informed the crowd, 90 percent of those who struggle with addiction started before the age of 21.
Other students presented: one in four risks addiction if starting to drink, smoke, or use drugs before the age of 18 vs. one in 25 risks addiction if starting after 21-years-old; and addiction affects more than 40 million people in America, but do not start.
Junior Matthew Kubik reminded, “Help your child to make healthy decisions. It is parenting, not pestering.”
Students also reminded parents: the #1 reason kids do not drink is because of parenting. Parents should ask their children: where they are going; what they will do; who will be there; when will they be home; and will there be alcohol? In addition, parents should be aware of influences around their children and the importance of effective family communication. April is “Alcohol Awareness Month.”
Vernon Township High School Chief Technology Officer Matthew Shea presented: “Digital Citizenship: the Good, the Bad, & Kittens!” encouraging parents to have important conversations with their students.
Executive Director of the Center for Prevention and Counseling Becky Carlson reminded participants, 22 of 24 municipalities in Sussex County, including Vernon Township, have underage drinking ordinances: a penalty for kids drinking on private property and a legal consequence for parents serving underage students.
Dorney showed entertaining commercials from youtube.com provided by the free resource: Parentsempowered.org, all challenging parents to be involved in their students' lives.
Dorney also recognized Vernon Mayor Harry Shortway, Jennifer Hopper from Lakeland Bank, and former coalition chairperson Janet Kubik, who were instrumental in setting up the Vernon Coalition in order to receive grants. The Vernon Coalition just received another five year grant to continue working in Vernon.
Michael DeVilliers, representative from Congressman Josh Gottheimer's office, read a message from the congressman, handed out certificates to students who participated in contests and attended an anti-bullying summit, and gave special congressional recognition to people involved in starting and supporting the Vernon Coalition.
School Board Member Edward DeYoung also attended.
Other students from Health and Physical Educator Michelle Gagg's 7th and 8th grade classes displayed their “Myth and Fact” projects along the hall leading to the gym. Gagg gave her students myths about alcohol, which they refuted through research, creating displays, presentations, and videos.
Tech Support student Drew Fischer set up laptops for participants to see videos; and three other students helped before and during the event, along with Fischer: Julia Gregory, Mia Obrotka, and Olivia Schaffer.
Janet Kubik later said she wishes more parents understood how much influence they have with their children. She explained, her kids are involved in the coalition because they saw a need, not because she is pushing them. J. Kubik then added, she has been involved in the coalition for seven years and is very proud of them.
At the end of the evening, Dorney commented, “We wanted to do something a little different that wasn't heavy, just support parents and families. That's really what this is supposed to be about.”