Thrive365 Shines at the VIVE18 Youth Leadership Conference in Glendale, Arizona On December 6th and 7th, Thrive365 had the incredible opportunity to attend the VIVE18 Youth Leadership Conference in Glendale, Arizona. The conference, hosted by VIVE18—a nonprofit prevention organization dedicated to youth drug prevention education—brought together young leaders, educators, and prevention advocates from across the country. Thrive365 was excited to send two of our own students to participate: Xander, a 7th grader from Sarracino Middle School, and Tatum, an 8th grader from Cottonwood Valley Charter School. VIVE18 is gaining increasing recognition within key prevention networks like the Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Program, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), and several other prestigious organizations focused on youth education and substance use prevention. This year's conference was packed with powerful sessions aimed at teaching young people how to be leaders in their schools and communities, while developing skills to cope with stress and mental health challenges. Highlights of the Conference Experience During the conference, Xander and Tatum had the chance to dive into a range of interactive activities, including: Creating Prevention PSAs: Each student worked to develop a public service announcement (PSA) focused on promoting a drug-free lifestyle. They put their creativity and passion into crafting powerful messages that they could take back to Socorro County, encouraging peers to make healthy, informed choices. Personal Reflections on Staying Drug-Free: Students also had the opportunity to reflect on their own reasons for remaining drug-free. By sharing their stories and learning from others, they gained new insights into how personal experiences can fuel collective prevention efforts. Mental Health Coping Skills: Mental health is closely tied to substance use prevention, and VIVE18 offered valuable tools for students to manage stress, anxiety, and other challenges. The coping skills they learned during the conference will not only help them in their personal lives but also as they continue to serve as positive role models in their schools and communities. Thrive365 Teams Up for a "Shark Tank" Pitch Competition A particularly exciting moment for the Thrive365 team came when we participated in a mock "Shark Tank" competition, where teams were tasked with pitching their ideas for future youth prevention events. Our students, along with adult mentors, collaborated to develop an idea for a Teen Dance focused on Overdose Awareness. The event was designed to combine fun and education, using music and social engagement to raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse and overdose, while also offering teens a safe, supportive environment to connect and learn. After a fierce round of pitches, Thrive365 was thrilled to be awarded second place in the competition! This win earned us a $250 prize that will go directly toward making our Teen Dance event a reality. We are excited to use this funding to create a dynamic and impactful experience for local teens, where they can enjoy themselves while learning about the importance of overdose awareness, prevention, and the power of community. Moving Forward: Empowering Teens and Raising Awareness Our team is incredibly proud of Xander, Tatum, and all of the participants for their hard work, creativity, and dedication to prevention. The knowledge and skills they gained at VIVE18 will have a lasting impact as they continue to advocate for healthy choices in their communities. With the $250 prize, we are even more motivated to host an event that not only provides a fun and memorable experience for local teens but also educates them on the very real risks of substance misuse and overdose. We are on a mission to show youth in our community that having fun without drugs or alcohol is possible! We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to VIVE18 for organizing such an inspiring and impactful event, and to the mentors, volunteers, and organizers who helped make this conference a success. We are excited to continue our mission of youth empowerment, drug-free living, and community engagement—and we can’t wait to bring the Teen Dance focused on Overdose Awareness to life!