The Benton Community High School JEL (Just Eliminate Lies) Chapter has a lot to be proud of this year.

      Members of the group, which aims to stop underage use of tobacco and alcohol as well as drug use, competed in an event called the Take Charge Challenge against 20 other high school advocacy groups in the Benton, Linn and Jones County areas.

    The purpose of the Challenge was to participate in substance abuse prevention activities that would educate and impact their fellow students. Activities included: recruiting new members, participating in a legislative forum, posting substance abuse facts and marketing materials throughout their schools, conducting street marketing activities like cupping the fence with anti-drug messages, etc.

       Students were able to pick and choose the activities they wanted to participate in for various point values. The Take Charge Challenge was sponsored by the Area Substance Abuse Council and each of the 20 groups was given a prevention specialist to help educate and guide them.

     Benton Community High School won the Take Charge Challenge and was awarded a pizza party and $100 to put towards advocacy activities in the 2011/2012 year.

     The Take Charge Challenge was able to motivate high school students to get involved and prove that it is possible to make a difference in their school. Congrats to Benton Community High School Jel students for winning the Challenge and learning an important lesson along the way!

     If you’d like to learn more about the Take Charge Challenge visit www.takecharge.tk/