Kimball Area High School has brought back an old program in a new way to our school. This program is called Target. Now some teens may say the program is “dumb” but there are eight teens from Kimball in this wonderful program and they love every bit of it. On Jan. 9, we traveled to the state capitol for “Capitol Day” with approximately 200 other kids from all over the state to learn about lobbying. We sat and listened to a number of great speakers. They discussed how we could support the primary seat belt law and keep wine out of grocery stores bills; it was a blast! The next major event we experienced was going to the Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria on Valentine’s Day for a Target leadership training session. We networked with eight other schools on ideas we could use to help keep our schools safe and drug free. Our day was filled with events from the Old Target Marketing “Street Factory”. They helped 153 kids learn five steps for success in developing and getting our messages across to others. Another fun activity was a table talent show, showing off some of the “weird and wacky” talents some people have. Our own Amanda Johnson from Kimball played tunes on crystal glassware with the help of two Apollo students Jessie and Chris “the magic man” and their little rap. They were just two of the many awesome students we met that day. From this training experience we decided it would be cool to invite the Apollo Target group to our school to perform the “Turnaround Play,” which is part of their Improv Group. This was shown during our own Target Chemical Health Week (March 12-16) on Thursday, March 15, to the seventh- and eighth-grade students. Our purpose is to help support and inform students on how harmful drugs and alcohol are to the body. Each day we brought a new activity for the students and staff to enjoy. The following week on Saturday, March 24,, was our fund raiser for Target to help raise funds to continue our mission of keeping our school safe and drug free. We also plan to use some of our fund-raising money to send a few of our own kids for Improv training. This fund raising will be in conjunction with the Kimball business Expo. From 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at Kimball Area High School. We sold limited edition prints from artist John Heckman, our own Target adviser. Submitted by Kayla Hickman and John Heckman.
