Niskayuna Personal Statement

The year was 2014 and I had just began my high school journey as a freshman. While trying to find my way and make a footprint on the school campus, a story broke out on the local news channel about a 16-year-old girl died because of apparent alcohol and drug overdose. I was shocked and sad. I felt this sudden urge to do something to help and not just carry on with my happy, sheltered and uneventful teenage life. My pursuit brought me to N-CAP (Niskayuna Community Action Program – ncapnisky.org) - a local community coalition whose mission is to improve the quality of life for all those living, working or learning in the Town or School District of Niskayuna with an emphasis on substance abuse prevention by youth. Their impact on the community

(Be Aware Stay Engaged) with the guidance from N-CAP. The primary focus of B.A.S.E. is creating a positive environment, substance abuse, alcohol consumption prevention and anti-bullying among the town of Niskayuna youth. To prepare myself for this leadership role, N-CAP sponsored me to attend Youth to Youth (Y2Y) Eastern States Conference at Bryant University in summer of 2016 and 2017. I had an amazing opportunity to listen to nationally acclaimed speakers talk about heart wrenching life stories of substance abuse and the impact on families and community. I was speechless and numb. The eye-opening discussions on Mental Health & Addiction, Prescription for Change, Youth Making Change, and Co-Exist made me realize the importance of youth leadership in drug prevention programs. I returned home with a mission and began spreading the word about B.A.S.E. Soon enough, 18 equally committed students were onboard, eager to make a difference. We were ready to move the mountains and began to meet and brainstorm upcoming

worked with town officials to keep tobacco retailers at least 500 feet away from school premises.
B.A.S.E. organized a design contest for N-CAP billboard on a busy road.
B.A.S.E. received sponsorship from N-CAP to attend a team building workshop at Camp Chingachgook, Lake George, NY.
B.A.S.E. held a fund-raising bake sale at the Co-Op store raising $340.00.
While I was completely immersed with B.A.S.E., I was nominated to become the President of S.A.P.E. (Students Advocating for a Positive Environment) a sister club, focusing on anti-bullying and pro-positivity among students. We launched an anonymous bullying incident reporting system by creating an anonymous email address monitored by a teacher. Cards with reporting details were handed out to students in October to celebrate bullying awareness month. To promote diversity, we held a book read for Black History month and a churro fund-raising sale during the Hispanic Heritage month. Our stomp-out bullying messages on the school floors and staircases and bracelet making event for Friendship Day were a huge