November 22, Beaver Area’s Clinical Coordinator/Social Worker Ms. Christy Viola and 13 students from grades 9 to 12 set out to spread Thanksgiving spirit as part of the Youth Ambassadors Program, better known as YAP. They recently took a field trip to Dutch Ridge to make gratitude jars with the students there.

For those who don’t know, YAP is a youth centered, youth driven program in Beaver County focused on bringing awareness to all types of current issues that youth face today. Many teens suffer from mental illnesses every day, and YAP strives to educate young people by raising awareness, stopping stigmas, and promoting thankfulness.

And November 22 they did just that. At around 8:45 a.m., Ms. Viola took 13 kids to meet the Dutch Ridge students. They got to know each other, and the Dutch Ridge kids were “very comfortable talking to the high school students,” shared Ms. Viola.

“It was so fun working with the younger students—and it was a huge success!” stated senior Emerson Connelly.

They made “gratitude jars,” which are clear jars with motivational stickers that hold slips of paper inside. On the paper, you write what you are grateful for, and anytime you are having a bad day, you can just open the jar and remind yourself of what you are working towards.

“It was really fun!” sophomore Nyx Clark recalled. “It’s a shame there weren’t more people there because of the stigma around mental health.”

The group returned to school around 10:30 a.m., but that’s not where the fun stops.

Every Fall, Winter, and Spring, YAP has a huge event in the CCBC Dome with over 300 attendees. Participants get together, play games, join in some activities, and listen to speakers talk about important mental health topics.

There was also a YAP sponsored holiday movie event December 12. From 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the school library, attendees watched The Grinch (2018) and enjoyed snacks for just $5.

The next big event is January 22, and there are usually meetings every other week. For future YAP news regarding meetings, events, or anything else, tune in to the morning announcements, follow the BAHS YAP Instagram page, or talk to any YAP member.

If you are interested in joining YAP, you can find Ms. Viola in the guidance office.