WEST SIDE STUDENTS STAR IN 2010 PREVENTION BOWL

Excited students from 13 elementary and middle schools from Chicago’s West Side neighborhoods and south suburbs gathered at Soldier Field prepared for a titanic battle of the minds. The event was the 2010 PREVENTION BOWL, the 4th competition staged by The Prevention Partnership, Inc., pitting 4-student teams against each other in a high-pressure, quick-response game show setting.
The purpose of the PREVENTION BOWL is to provide students with a forum for displaying their knowledge and understanding of the dangers of narcotics, alcohol abuse, and tobacco use. They also showed their awareness of the risks of HIV/AIDS and sexually-transmitted infections and how to avoid them.
Students were also asked questions about refusal techniques when faced with dangerous or potentially violent situations. They explained nonviolent conflict resolution, anger management, and answered questions about self-esteem, leadership, personal finance, and nutrition.
And the students performed with grace in the great football cauldron made famous by the Chicago Bears!
The sponsorship list is growing each year, led by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Community Health & Prevention; and Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC). Other sponsors include US Bank in Oak Park, State Farm Insurance agent Larry C. Williams, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity-Iota Phi Sigma Graduate Chapter, Firestone of Oak Park, Chicago Heights South Suburban Family Wellness Alliance, and Home Depot. The goal of PREVENTION BOWL creators is to take the competition national and ultimately include it in the events of the Super Bowl.
The number of participating schools is growing annually, also. This year’s PREVENTION BOWL showcased students from 13 schools. The ultimate winner was the team from George Rogers Clark Elementary School in Austin. Coming in second was Washington Junior High School of Chicago Heights. Third Place winners were the students of Rosa Parks Middle School in Dixmoor. Fourth Place team is Horatio May Elementary School in Austin, and the 5th Place team is Anton Dvorak Technology Academy in North Lawndale. Teams consist of four 7th & 8th grade students with one alternate. Teams are provided with a study guide from which questions are taken.
Other schools participating in the 2010 PREVENTION BOWL are: Milton Brunson Math, Science & Technology Specialty School, Jefferson Middle School, Herbert Spencer Technology Academy, The Learning Network Center, West Park Academy, Charles Evans Hughes Elementary School, Martin A. Ryerson Elementary School, and St. Angela Elementary School.
In addition to the team awards, individual Character Awards were presented to students displaying motivation and teamwork. Contrell Jackson of Rosa Parks Middle School won the Teamwork Award and MyKail Jones of St. Angela School was named Most Motivated. Both students won mountain bikes.
Schools interested in competing in the 2011 PREVENTION BOWL should contact Adam Bates at The Prevention Partnership, Inc., 773/378-4195. There is no entrance fee to participate.