Lexington teen named to MADD’s Power of You(th) National Teen Influencer Group

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), along sponsor State Farm, announced that Lexington Catholic High School Junior Renee Brown has been chosen to be one of 10 students from across the nation to be a part of MADD’s first-ever Power of You(th) National Teen Influencer Group.
 

Brown was selected based on her efforts to stop underage drinking at her school and in her community.
 

“Renee is a courageous young woman who actively promotes a substance-free lifestyle not only in our school but in the greater Lexington community as well,” said Sally Stevens, principal at Lexington Catholic.  “I am truly proud to have her as a member of our student body.  She models and messages the work of the Youth Coalition for Alcohol Education at all times.”
 

As the President of the Youth Coalition for Alcohol Education and the Lexington-Fayette County MADD Youth in Action Team, Brown has worked hard to stop underage drinking in her community.  Her Youth in Action Team placed 7,000 labels on alcohol and in-store signage at alcohol retailers to encourage adults not to provide alcohol to youth.
 

She worked to spread awareness and enforcement of Lexington’s Social Host Ordinance through a media campaign involving 29 local businesses, using billboards and radio PSAs to get the word out to adults about the consequences of hosting a party where alcohol is provided to those under the age of 21.  As a result, enforcement of the ordinance has increased by nearly 50 percent.
 

Teen alcohol use kills about 6,000 people each year — more than all other illegal drugs combined. To address this epidemic, MADD and State Farm have established the first National Teen Influencer Group, which includes these 10 teens. In June, the teens will attend a National Teen Influencer Summit, which will focus on how best to educate teens across the country to take a stand against underage drinking. This group of teens will provide their insight on creation of an underage drinking prevention initiative that saves lives and empowers young people to make a difference in their community.
 

“It’s truly inspiring to see such passion and enthusiasm among these 10 young people,” said MADD national president Jan Withers. “MADD hopes to work with these teens to harness the Power of You(th) and motivate teens around the country to take a stand against underage drinking.”
 

To learn more about MADD and State Farm’s Power of You(th) program, visit www.madd.org/powerofyouth.
 

From Lexington Catholic High School

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