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By ALEXIS BARTOLOMUCCI
Boardman High School students and faculty celebrated their fourth annual “Yes Fest” on Sept. 30 with the help of several volunteers and organizations.
The high school’s assistant principal, Anne Bott, was the main organizer of Yes Fest and began her planning and gathering in the spring. The event was broken up into several sections for students in grades 7-12. Yes Fest started as a response to the drug-related deaths of three Boardman students in 2013.
“As my fourth year being involved in this, it keeps growing and changing to meet the needs of the kids, it’s never the same” said Bott.
The students had the opportunity to listen to Heidi Riggs, Chief Administrative Officer of Avlis, and David Kohout, founder of Talk is Cheap, Inc., speak about topics like drugs, alcohol and focusing on creating and continuing good characteristics and habits.
After the students listened to the speakers, they made their way to the gymnasium to visit and speak with more than 50 volunteer organizations and more than 15 students organizations. The students had the opportunity to sign up and volunteer with the different organizations.
“I’ve had a number of the community organizations be very excited. They had no volunteers then they walk out with a slate of 25 kids who are interested,” said Bott.
Students explored the gym and spoke with community organizations like Angels for Animals, Akron Children’s Hospita, Big Brothers Big Sisters and several others. They had the chance to talk to representatives from each organization and get an idea of what the organization is all about.
Yes Fest is a chance for students to not “just say no,” but to “say yes” to positive influences and different community services.
“I hope we keep doing it forever. It’s something that will evolve and continue to grow,” said Bott. “It’s something that’s very relevant and current to our lives.