"Creatively responding to

the needs and interests of

the youth in our community.”

The High School Youth Action Team (HSYAT) provides high school students the opportunity to participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of services for their peers. The program consists of student representatives from six Irvine high schools. HSYAT staff organize teen activities and represent their peers at various community groups. The program’s focus is around the following three objectives:

• Youth Leadership: To engage youth in leadership roles within the community.

• Community Services: To increase youth participation in activities that benefit the entire community.

• Social-Recreational: To engage youth in safe and appealing social-recreational activities.

PAUSE POETRY CONTEST
   "Why I Choose Not to Drink Alcohol"

Winner: Dena Toombs, Irvine High School

How does it begin?
Wanting, hoping, forcing a way to fitting in?
Thoughts to words to actions,
But those drinks provide deafening distractions
That impairs those once healthy reactions.
Racing to the bottom of each cup,
But is it going to be enough,
To drown away the insecurity?
With each sip, lost control,
Is it worth the risk of it taking the ultimate toll?
Pause.
Just take a minute to think.
Instead of risking life with a drink.
Rewind.
Find your voice to make the choice.
That missing out on this one thing will be okay.
Play.
Don't end up in a position
That will comprimise those great ambitions,
Which are more important in the end,
Than having that drink that will make you a "friend."