Two school chapters and an advisor were recognized on Wednesday for their efforts to promote healthy choices, youth leadership and substance use prevention through the Orange County Friday Night Live Partnership.
The honors came during the annual Friday Night Live Chapter Recognition Ceremony at the Barclay Theatre in Irvine. Hosted by the OCFNLP, the event celebrated students and educators who have helped create supportive and engaged school communities.
Through youth-led activities on and off campus, the Orange County Friday Night Live Partnership helps young people develop leadership, communication and problem-solving skills while addressing issues that affect their peers and communities.
The program is led by the Orange County Department of Education and funded by the OC Health Care Agency’s Alcohol and Drug Education and Prevention Team.
This year’s Chapter Excellence Awards went to El Modena High School in the Orange Unified School District and McGarvin Intermediate School in the Garden Grove Unified School District. Advisor Excellence honors were presented to Debbi Potts of Ralston Intermediate School in Garden Grove Unified.
Here’s a little more about each of this year’s honorees.
El Modena students expand outreach efforts
At El Modena High School, Friday Night Live students led a variety of peer education and outreach activities throughout the school year.
The chapter organized daily engagement activities during Red Ribbon Week to promote drug-free lifestyles and later provided media literacy training for freshmen and sophomores focused on alcohol, marijuana and vaping advertisements. Students also conducted a social media campaign in support of National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week.
Beyond their own campus, chapter members partnered with nearby elementary schools to encourage younger students to stay involved in school and develop leadership skills. El Modena students also collaborated with OCDE to host a parent workshop focused on substance use prevention, participating in a panel discussion about how families can start supportive conversations about drugs and alcohol.
“This chapter works hard to create a supportive environment where all students feel welcome by providing many opportunities for members to contribute,” said OCDE Youth Development Programs Coordinator Elke Petras.
The chapter is led by Career Guidance Technician Nicky Clark.
McGarvin chapter recognized for steady growth
McGarvin Intermediate School’s Friday Night Live chapter was recognized for its continued growth and student engagement since launching four years ago. The chapter now draws about 30 regular student participants and meets multiple times each month.
This year, students organized activities centered on wellness, healthy decision-making and substance use prevention. Members also supported the school’s Tobacco Use Prevention Education efforts by visiting classrooms to help dispel common myths about vaping.
The chapter regularly collaborates with other Friday Night Live groups across the district, helping create opportunities for students to connect and support one another through shared activities and events.
“Their consistency, creativity and enthusiasm have helped build a welcoming environment where students feel empowered to make healthy decisions and support one another,” Petras said.
McGarvin’s chapter is led by history teacher Cindy Ribeiro.
Advisor honored for expanding student leadership opportunities
Debbi Potts, a physical education teacher at Ralston Intermediate School, received the Advisor Excellence Award for her work building and growing the school’s Friday Night Live chapter over the past four years.
According to the Orange County Friday Night Live Partnership, Potts has helped create an inclusive environment where students are encouraged to take active roles in prevention projects and campus activities. Many of her students have continued participating in Friday Night Live programs after transitioning to high school, with some representing the organization at the state level.
She also collaborates regularly with advisors at other schools, sharing resources and supporting the development of additional Friday Night Live programs across Orange County.
“My experience with our chapter has taught me that excellence isn’t measured by a perfect event or flawless presentation,” Potts said during the ceremony. “It’s measured by the sparks in students’ eyes when they realize their voices can actually shift policy and change lives.”