JANS – North Panola Career and Technical Center was recently named the national high school winner of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Invent2Prevent (I2P) contest, which challenges students to create and implement peer-developed initiatives, products, and tools to prevent targeted violence and hate.
On Jan. 24, DHS’ Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) hosted 27 students in Washington, D.C., who were selected as finalists from three out of 18 universities and three out of 24 high schools. The finalists developed innovative projects to help prevent targeted violence and terrorism in their communities. Iowa State University and North Panola Career and Technical Center were named the winners of the university and high school categories, respectively.
As part of a semester-long project, each team evaluated a current threat facing the nation, such as campus safety, cyberbullying, and violent extremism. The teams then created a program or tool to educate or build on the strengths of their community to decrease the likelihood of targeted violence and terrorism. During the final round of competition in Washington, D.C., students presented their projects to a panel of judges for the opportunity to be awarded funding to carry out their proposed initiatives. These teams will use the resources to further advance and scale their initiatives and projects.
The North Panola Career and Technical Center team created Peer No Pressure, an initiative dedicated to providing students, ages 12-18, with a safe and supportive space to minimize bullying and peer pressure, through the use of peer-led discussions, engaging skits, and a mentorship program. Peer No Pressure seeks to rewrite the narrative on peer pressure and bullying, while cultivating an environment where peers’ voices matter and produce change. Peer No Pressure supports embracing empathy and fostering a culture of prevention that results in a shared commitment to create safe spaces and positive relationships to form a united front against bullying and peer pressure.
“Invent2Prevent has been very helpful and encouraging during our semester of work. They gave us a free space to express an important cause in our community,” said Jeniya Lyons, a student at North Panola Career and Technical Center. “Peer No Pressure had a very positive impact on our community and grabbed a lot of people’s attention. With us being able to amplify our message even more with the help of I2P, we are definitely making a change in the community.”
“Prevention is a community effort, and programs like I2P give young minds the opportunity to work together to take on the toughest challenges facing the world today,” said CP3 Director William Braniff. “The next generation of changemakers understand that acts of targeted violence and terrorism are often preventable, and they are helping their peers and their schools do just that. I am inspired by their work and their commitment to building safe and resilient communities.”
For more information on the TVTP Grants Program, visit dhs.gov/tvtpgrants.
