Students at Drumheller Valley Secondary School are asking their peers to live with no regrets in a campaign to educate about making informed decisions when it comes to sex.
The day was in years past called California Day. Students and staff would spend the day enjoying the summer weather, end of classes, and having some fun.
This year, the school and Friends of Rachel (FOR) Club has evolved the day to promote healthy lifestyles and attitudes.
“This year we decided to have a different emphasis,” said teacher Lynn Hemming. “We wanted a fun day, like California Day was, but with an educational emphasis to promote the campaign.”
The school was the recipient of a $24,000 grant from Alberta Health and Wellness to promote healthy attitudes towards sex. The school then asked students or ideas how to use the money.
“We surveyed the students and went to the FOR Club and asked for their input and ideas. What were issues and concerns, and what did they want to see the money used for,” said Hemming. “We’re pleased with the fact that it’s been student lead. They’re excited and been very involved creating this campaign.”
The FOR Club set to work coming up with the campaign and how best to promote it.
“We went to work thinking of a slogan that people would remember,” said FOR club member Courtney Hatt. “When it comes to sexual choices, we think kids should make choices they won’t regret later. We want to get all the students together and say ‘have no regrets in your life.’”
During the day, students will learn from presentations, such as from Cora Bolt from Alberta Health and Wellness, and then have some fun doing some sumo wrestling, beach volleyball, a zip lines, barbecue and more. The FOR Club also designed tee shirts and water bottles for their peers.
Some students will also be helping out with DinoFest by cleaning up downtown Drumheller.
“We’ve traditionally done a cleanup as part of this day, and we decided to carry that on and do something for the community,” said Hemming.
After the fun is said and done, there is one message to remember.
“We want students make choices they won’t regret,” said Hemming. “We want them to make choices to be proud of.”
