Niobrara County Prevention Specialist Kassidy Miller recently introduced a new class to Niobrara County High School (NCHS) students. The class, Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST), is a research-validated substance abuse prevention program. As part of LST, Miller has been teaching students about the risks of alcohol, tobacco, drug use and violence. LST covers major social and psychological factors that contribute to substance abuse and other deleterious teenage behavioral proclivities.

The goal of LST is to help teens build the confidence and skills necessary to successfully handle challenging situations. Each student has a workbook, which they work on with the assistance of Miller. According to Miller, there are seven units spread out over 10 classes, with one class being held each week.

Over the 10-weeks, students learn the value of good health and how it relates to decision-making, media exposure, relationships, family communication and stress and anger management.

Miller told the Herald that there are about three different activities in each unit. Many of these activities are designed to encourage the students to discuss their thoughts and feelings on a specific topic. Included with the course are group work, individual tasks and some take-home assignments. The take-home assignments are intended to promote healthy dialogue between students and their parents.

Miller follows a teacher’s manual, which provides step-by-step guidance for each unit and outlines what needs to be taught.

“One of my primary goals is to foster open discussion in the classroom,” said Miller. “I want students to understand that they have their whole future ahead of them and can achieve anything they set their minds.”

Miller has been pleasantly surprised by the level of student participation.

“The students were all engaged and eager to share their thoughts and feelings,” said Miller. “Their responses were thoughtful, which I appreciated.”

At the moment, LST is specifically designed for ninth graders. Miller hopes that, in the future, she can explore LST programs for younger grades.

“Currently, I am coordinating a schedule with the elementary school to read a three-book Nuro series to younger students in grades K-2 and 3-5,” said Miller. “These books teach how the young brain functions and highlight the importance of keeping it safe and healthy. The books also introduce how the brain makes decisions and emphasizes the significance of understanding our feelings and communicating them effectively.”

Miller hopes participants will learn to adopt a healthy lifestyle by developing skills that make it significantly easier to realize goals. If she receives the approval of the school, Miller is planning to offer this training every year to future freshman classes.

“My intention is to start the class in the fall semester next year, rather than in the spring semester like this year,” Miller said.

Miller wants to gauge the students’ response to LST.

“My goal is to provide whatever support helps the students the most. So, if I discover other options that could be more beneficial, I will certainly explore those as well,” said Miller. “Additionally, I hope to invite a highly recommended speaker for grades seven through 12.”

Miller stated that NCHS has been very welcoming. She hopes to help students grow and make decisions that will guide them to live a healthy lifestyle.