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Publisher's Note

 

by Lori Murphy

If you get the chance to see the northshore’s PRIDE Troupe perform, don’t miss it! With 175 teen members, it is among the largest groups of its kind in the world—and its mission is global: keeping teens drug and alcohol free.

According to Drew Lehmann, PRIDE’s executive director, the members’ focus is on educating and supporting their peers. They also work to educate parents about the dangers associated with underage drinking—and the laws that pertain to adults who give teens access to alcohol. The stories they tell in the 45-minute performances are powerful, and, with a new school year in full swing, never more timely.

Watching the PRIDE Troupe onstage, it is clear that these young adults are developing leadership skills and a strong voice that will serve them very well in the future. The Troupe designates age groups by the color of their T-shirts, and I was happy to see so many purple ones (seniors). That shows me that Drew and the PRIDE organization are keeping the message relevant and the participation rewarding. Keep up the great work. We all benefit!

p.s. The back of those colorful T-shirts features the Gandhi quote: You must be the change you wish to see in the world. It’s a mission statement for us all. For more information,
go to www.preventionwithpride.org.