Boardman students learn how their lifestyle choices steer their lives

BOARDMAN

Mike Trell stood in front of students and talked about his daughter, Erin Trell, while photos from her life went by on a slideshow.

Trell was talking about what happened with his daughter, who died of a drug overdose last year, at a presentation Friday at Boardman High School’s second Yes Fest.

“Erin was so much more than that girl that died last Sept. 30,” Trell said. “There were some things that led up to that point.”

Trell spoke to the students about some of the things that changed in his daughter that he noticed, how she had been wanting to change her life and go into social work and what she would have told them if she was still alive.

“I think she would tell you she cheated herself. ... I’m never going to get to see” her milestones, an emotional Trell said.

He talked about how his daughter died, mixing drugs at a party, and said, “She would tell you that getting involved with drugs cost her her life.”

The second Yes Fest also featured Tim Saxton, district director of operations, speaking to four sets of students from eighth grade through seniors, about lifestyle and drugs.

After the an hourlong talk, students poured into the high-school gym where 46 area businesses were set up to display to district students volunteer, club, and mental and physical health agencies available to them.

Read more about the program in Saturday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.