PRIDE has recently returned from the 32^nd Annual PRIDE Youth Programs Conference in Louisville, KY.  The fourteen team members and three advisors heard motivational speakers, attended workshops centered on the four pillars of PRIDE - drug education, community service, community outreach and drug free activities.

PRIDE of Bethel Park also won two national awards.  Lexie Intihar, a senior at BPHS was awarded the Community Outreach Award.  The Community Outreach Award is presented to a youth who has been instrumental in spreading the word about their PRIDE team in their community.  This was presented to Lexie for the work she did helping to form the Club PRIDE team this year. She has also been instrumental in leading the Club PRIDE meetings and organizing activities for their members. Lexie, a member of the PRIDE team for four years, has also been a leader with the PRIDE team as choreographer of skits and dances and a member of the team’s Executive Board.

Brian Walsh, also a senior at BPHS, won one of the four Youth of the Year Awards.  The Youth of the Year Award is presented to youths who have demonstrated unconditional support and loyalty to their PRIDE team and the four pillars of PRIDE.  They have dedicated themselves to leading a safe, healthy, and drug free life, while helping others to do the same by taking an active role on their team and in the community.  Brian has proved this through his four years participating in the Bethel Park PRIDE team, being an active member of the BPHS Student Government Association where he currently holds the position of Vice-President and an Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop 215.

Brooke Larson, a sophomore at BPHS, won second place for her original poetry entry entitled “It’s Not The Way to Go”.  Bethel Park was also represented on the PRIDE National Dance Team by BPHS senior Amy Banner and on the National Acting Team by BPHS senior Lexie Intihar.  Both of these members arrived at conference four days early and practiced dances and skits to be performed during the conference.  Heather Stempler, another BPHS senior, represented our team as a PRIDE Guide.  PRIDE Guides assisted the conference coordinators with preparations for conference and assisted the conference attendees while they were attending workshops.

The team had a great time at conference and can’t wait to attend again next year.