Henderson County Public Schools Students Rally Against Substance Misuse in “Week of Hope” Campaign
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (March 12, 2024) – In partnership with Hope Coalition, students in Henderson County Public Schools’ four middle and six high schools are taking a public stand against substance misuse during the “Week of Hope” campaign March 11-15, 2024.
Since 2015, the schools’ student government organizations and leaders have organized the campaign in partnership with Hope Coalition, and support has grown for the initiative among community agencies. Since the first Hope Week, City and County leaders, along with many community businesses have increased their active participation and support of this annual campaign. The Henderson County Sheriff's office is providing a wrapped patrol car for the second year in a row that will visit school campuses for students to sign.
The campaign and the students leading the substance abuse awareness events in their schools are formally recognized by government and school leaders in the community. At their Feb. 21 meeting, the Henderson County Board of Commissioners read a proclamation recognizing “Week of Hope”, as did the Hendersonville City Council at their meeting on March 7.
Each year, the schools’ student governments plan awareness activities that stress the importance of remaining substance free, and high school leaders collaborate with their feeder middle schools’ student leaders to organize activities for the younger students. This year, motivational speaker, Joey Negron, will be speaking to students at school assemblies.
Throughout the campaign, students at each school will sign pledge banners bearing the school’s mascot and a pledge to be substance-free. Provided by Hope Coalition, “Week of Hope” T-shirts will be printed for student leaders planning the awareness activities at their schools.
Students will sign the banners this week, and “Week of Hope” will culminate at 12 p.m. Friday, March 15, when the middle and high school banners will be hung from the Henderson County Historic Courthouse pillars. Community leaders including Henderson County Manager John Mitchell, Henderson County Board of Commissioner Chairman Rebecca McCall, Chief Blair Myhand of the Hendersonville Police Department, and City of Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk will share remarks.
About Hope Coalition
Hope Coalition is a grassroots effort initiated by the Henderson County Partnership for Health in 2013 as a community collaborative to educate, evaluate, and implement evidence-based models on substance misuse and underage drinking in Henderson County. In addition to several support and recovery groups for youth, adults and families, the Hope Coalition is home to the Henderson County Youth
