The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) awarded Options Middle School $10,000 today for being one of four middle schools to win the Protect What’s Next Challenge, a statewide youth empowerment and retail marijuana prevention program. Students and staff received the $10,000 check during a celebratory ice cream social today.

The challenge, an extension of the state’s youth marijuana prevention campaign, was built on youth’s belief that using marijuana before age 21 could get in the way of achieving their goals. The challenge was created as an easy and fun way to engage middle school students with a positive message about prioritizing personal goals over retail marijuana use.

“The goal of the challenge was to inspire Colorado youth to be confident in themselves and their choices, and to remind them of what it feels like to accomplish something you set your mind to,” said Dr. Larry Wolk, department executive director and chief medical officer. “It was gratifying to see how many schools and students decided to take on the challenge.”

Sixty-two middle schools participated in the challenge, with students submitting more than 15,000 challenges. As a reminder of what it’s like to set and accomplish goals, students were asked to complete brief challenges, such as carrying another student’s books, writing a thank you note to a teacher or challenging the principal to a dance-off. Students photographed or filmed their challenges and posted them on Instagram or submitted them privately using the challenge’s website www.PWNchallenge.com.

The school with the highest percentage of student participation in each enrollment category (fewer than 250 students, 250-499 students, 500-749 students and 750+ students) won a $10,000 prize to use for a school activity.

“Our students really enjoyed participating in the challenge,” said Ashley Broer, Options Middle School’s principal. “They especially enjoyed connecting with peers and staff in a variety of ways through the challenges.”

Options Middle School has yet to decide on how it will invest the $10,000 award. The school is considering a new gym floor, a small bus to take students to school or athletic events, or tile flooring in the art classroom. Students will be providing input on the investment before a final decision is made.

About the department’s Retail Marijuana Education Program

The Retail Marijuana Education Program is paid for with marijuana tax revenue. Projects include Good to Know; the Spanish-language campaign, Marihuana En Colorado, Lo Que Debes Entender; and efforts to encourage youth to not use marijuana before age 21.

• Protect What’s Next is a comprehensive media campaign showing how underage marijuana use has the potential to get in the way of youth achieving their short-term goals.
• A complementary campaign encourages adults who youth trust and respect to deliver factual information about not using marijuana before age 21.