West Virginia Press Association
Fairmont, WV— Through a cooperative effort between GameChanger, the JW Ebert Corporation, McDonald’s, Marion County Schools and the Marion County Commission as they continue to bring awareness to the deadly opioid, substance misuse and fentanyl epidemic threatening West Virginia’s youth, football teams from Fairmont Senior High School and East Fairmont High School will do battle in the inaugural Prevention Education Bowl on Friday evening at East-West Stadium in Fairmont. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Marion County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Donna Heston, who took an aggressive lead in the project, emphasized the need for prevention education in West Virginia schools and thanks all those who made it possible.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t sincerely thank the Marion County Commission, whose three-year $270,000 grant made it possible for Marion County Schools to become affiliated with such an excellent Prevention Education program as GameChanger. The GameChanger approach is both cutting edge and educationally practical, enabling our students in Marion County to benefit from the expertise of some of the top prevention scientists in the nation. None of this would be possible without wonderful sponsors such as the JW Ebert Corporation and McDonald’s, which have supported our efforts for years.”
John Ebert, owner and president of the JW Ebert Corporation, which owns several McDonald’s throughout West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, is a member of the GameChanger Board of Directors. Ebert says this is just part of his personal, his company’s and McDonald’s efforts to address opioid, substance misuse and deadly fentanyl attacks, not only in Marion County but throughout West Virginia.
“We as a group are firmly committed to the great work GameChanger is doing in Prevention Education in our schools and communities in West Virginia. We have nothing but great hopes for the future because our kids and youth are our future and the threat of this deadly problem is real and must be taken seriously.”
GameChanger executive director Joe Boczek says GameChanger is evolving into the state’s only multi-faceted, comprehensive prevention education program, which according to experts is the most effective way to address the deadly problem.
“The experts teach us that true Prevention Education programs begin in kindergarten and run through grade 12. We believe GameChanger is well on its way to that distinction,” Boczek says. “We offer an assortment of age-appropriate evidence-based and evidence-informed programming, coupled with an awareness campaign that includes assisting schools with complying with Laken’s Law and our newly created Student Athlete Wellness Portal, mixed with educational but enjoyable events like the Prevention Education Bowl. Our road to this point hasn’t been easy, but the support of our Board of Directors in hiring the best and brightest Prevention Education experts has been paramount to arriving where we are today.”
Though the 105th meeting between the Polar Bears and Bees is the obvious focal point to Friday evening’s festivities, just important are the 15- and 20-second messages on the video board, live reads of public service announcements, GameChanger giveaways and banners and signage offering support and thanks for all who have contributed to GameChanger to date.
“GameChanger still has a long way to get to our goal of being the preeminent prevention education program in the nation, but with the continued support of everyone involved, I think that goal – and the ultimate goal of helping young people make informed choices on a deadly topic –stays very much within reach,” Boczek says.
GameChanger is a student-powered substance misuse prevention movement committed to building supportive school environments that reduce drug use and empower West Virginia’s youth to make healthy, informed choices on the way to becoming our leaders of tomorrow.
To learn more about GameChanger, visit: www.gamechangerusa.org
