PANDA club gathers Boardman students

Staff report

boardman

Boardman Glenwood Middle School hosted a Prevent And Neutralize Drug and Alcohol Abuse, PANDA, Leaders Club Connections event with more than 60 PANDA members from Boardman Glenwood Middle School, Boardman Center Middle School and Boardman High School.

Students participated in team-building activities led by BHS Panda Leaders.

Donated items were brought in by each student to contribute to the Hope House Visitation Center in Youngstown and presented to Executive Director Carole Bopp.

Bopp talked with the students about Hope House and how their donations would be used.

PANDA Leaders Club is a program of Meridian Community Care which empowers teens by giving them the knowledge to make responsible decisions about the issues that affect them most today: drugs and alcohol, bullying, depression, violence, self-esteem and others.

In PANDA, kids are encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle, make positive choices and be comfortable with themselves — not only through information but also through the friendship and support of others who feel the same way.

Through PANDA, students learn to become leaders in their schools, and to work together to find solutions that best fit their needs.