Just this year, seniors Alex Hare and Jessica Stonis helped bring back Snowball to Antioch Community High School. Snowball is a club designed for students who take a stand against alcohol and drugs. Every member of the club shares a passion for Snowball. The title R.A.A.D is a popular topic of interpersonal conversations. R.A.A.D, which stands for Rise Above Alcohol and Drugs, is a nickname for Snowball Club. The club’s goal is to raise awareness of the negative effects of alcohol and drugs.

To many, how the name “Snowball” came to be the legitimate name of the club is a typical question. Operation Snowball is all about making choices and positively influencing peers, family and even strangers. Take a look at a snowball from a different perspective. If one person decides to throw a snowball to commence a traditional snowball fight, the other person reacts. That is how Snowball Club works; when one decides to make good choices in their lives, a reaction occurs, just like a snowball fight. The positive decision that one friend makes causes their best friend to do the same; it is like a chain reaction of good decisions and access of prevention.

Sarah Fay is a physics teacher at ACHS and also a co-sponsor of Snowball. Michelle Bank, who works in the Special Education department at ACHS, is the other. To Fay and Bank, the purpose of Snowball Club is to prevent drug and alcohol use and abuse among students and members of  the community. One of their focuses is to send a message to the community while having students learn and develop leadership skills.

Fay said, “The students are a great support. The kids are what truly make an awesome group. It’s important to be drug and alcohol free because choices make a huge impact on everybody. I am very passionate about this club.”

Fay is a great advocate and often volunteers to help out with youth groups, like the one at Zion Benton Township High School. For six years, Fay sponsored a youth group before Snowball for the students at Zion. Snowball Club was cut three years ago in 2010 at ACHS. Prior to the club being cut, she took position as the co-sponsor of the club. Before the club was brought back to ACHS, Fay struggled to adopt it once more. With no clue where to start, seniors Alex Hare and Jessica Stonis stepped in to help Fay and Bank bring Snowball back.

Stonis said, ” This is something that I’m passionate about, which is not what a lot of kids can say. I think it will help benefit my future. And seeing other kids have the same belief as me keep me on the right track as well. My favorite thing about the club is how everybody comes together. We’re all very different but we’re in there for one purpose. Knowing that there’s people who stand for the same things as you do is empowering.”

“I joined because I was involved in this youth advisory board with Jessie, and we really wanted to bring the club back because it would promote positive decision making around our school and there was a lot of people interested. We wanted to take the role. I like that people want to be really close and know a lot of each other. It makes the journey to positive decision making a lot easier, and I think that’s the best part.” said Hare.

Each meeting begins with a video about drug abuse facts or prevention. The club promotes and participates in activities that teach the hazards of drug and alcohol use. “Logistical things” are a popular topic among the club. Red Ribbon Week is a very special time for Fay, Bank and Snowball members because they have the opportunity to decorate the entire school and raise awareness. They reach out to an incredible number of people at places like football games. This year, Snowball Club handed out cookies to every person that pledged to be drug and alcohol free.

All in all, Snowball Club means so much more than just raising awareness. Anybody and everybody is always welcome to jump right in and join the club. For some, Snowball Club is a way to cope with any personal alcohol and drug issues. If you or someone you know struggles with alcohol or drug abuse, or if you would like to get involved with Operation Snowball, visit www.os-iti.org.