The first ever Hogwarts Family Day event was produced by ACT’s Youth Empowerment Committee as an intergenerational event for the community. Nearly 250 persons were transported into a clever, fun, free community event celebrating all things Harry Potter!
Thank you for your hard work committee members and thank you to all of the community members and businesses that showed such incredible support for this worthwhile event!!!
May is Vermont Youth Appreciation MonthFour years ago, a group of Bennington area youth drafted a statewide resolution to establish a Vermont Youth Appreciation Day. This celebration was a call to action in response to YRBS data that reflected the low rates of VT youth that feel they matter to our communities.
A joint resolution was passed and this home-grown event has blossomed significantly in the years since. This year on Thursday, April 28th at 12:30 pm, Governor Peter Shumlin will sign a proclamation declaring the month of May as Vermont Youth Appreciation Month in his Ceremonial Office at the statehouse in Montpelier.
— Top 5 in Total Weight —
1. Chittenden – 
1855.5 lbs
2. Bennington – 683 lbs
3. Washington – 656.5 lbs
4. Windham – 444.4 lbs
5. Rutland – 329.8 lbs
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— Top 5 in Per Person Weight —
1. Bennington – 0.30 oz/person
2. Grand Isle – 0.21 oz/person
3. Chittenden – 0.19 oz/person
4. Lamoille 0.18 oz/person
5. Orleans – 0.18 oz/person
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(Note: Prescription drug take-back includes collection of any drug and drug paraphernalia, not only prescription drugs)
On Wednesday, April 8th, students from the Pre-Law Class, instructed by Bruce Lee-Clark at the Career Development Center in Bennington presented their report to the legislature on youths access to tobacco and alcohol. The students has a unique opportunity to present their detailed policy analysis to the House Healthcare Committee at the State of Vermont Legislature. This project represents a year-long journey to research the topic and develop recommendations. In conjunction, the Video Production Class, instructed by Tim Foley produced a documentary video of the process which was also shown to committee members. During the day, they had an opportunity to meet with local legislators, public health advocacy groups and sponsors of proposals that they reviewed. They were then acknowledged in front of a full house at beginning of the House of Representatives session by ACT Director and State Rep. Kiah Morris. Following, their report and video will be sent to committee leadership in Human Resources, Judicial, Ways and Means and Senate Health and Welfare for their review. The youth did an amazing job and we could not have been more proud of their work and collaboration with ACT on this important project. The students who worked on these projects are as follows:
The full report can be found here: W~Pre-Law Class, Southwest Vermont Career Development Center~Report On Access to Tobacco and Alcohol by the Underage in Vermont~4-8-2015
The video can be found here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tU7jNtEQSYo
