2003-04 Trevor R. Simpson Award Winners

Tieton Intermediate/Highland Jr. High Schools (Tieton/Cowiche-Yakima County) is the winner for schools with a student body of less than 1,000.

From left, Leah Simpson, Tieton/Highland faculty liaison Wendy Ross, and Sue Eastgard YSPP Director.

Excerpted students' speeches from the Recognition Assembly,
Friday, October 15

"The reason I joined Lifesavers is because I wanted to help people to know the three steps: 1, show you care, 2, ask the question, and 3, get help. If people know the three steps, they will know what to do if they ever have a friend who says they want to kill themselves. They will know that they need to go get help from an adult even if their friend says not to."

"I joined Lifesavers because my friends were in it and I wanted to save lives. I've been in this program for four years. I went with a group to West Valley Jr. High to talk about suicide prevention, and also helped to teach the prevention lessons at Highland Jr. High. "

"I am in seventh grade. I joined Lifesavers because I didn't want anybody to get hurt... It is important to tell a grownup if the person wants to kill themself. Do not let them die. Tell someone."

"I enjoy helping people and want to help save people who are thinking about suicide. We learned the steps to prevent suicide and do things that make people feel important. We went to every classroom at Tieton Intermediate and taught the steps and played a game to show how people feel when stress builds up."

"I joined Lifesavers because I wanted to help other people say to a friend, cousin, brother or other families that the person is there for them. I've been in Lifesavers for three years and really like helping people learn the three steps."

The Tieton/Highland team was supported by Wendy Ross, the schools’ counselor. Fifty students participate on the team called the “Lifesavers.” These students conducted 30 classroom presentations at four schools: Tieton Intermediate, Highland Jr. High, Highland High School and West Valley Jr. High School. Pencils were distributed at each classroom presentation. Team members also distributed homemade valentine candy to every student and staff member at Tieton Intermediate School. The candies were accompanied by personal affirmations and the three intervention strategies: show you care, ask the question and get help. One hundred fifty students from Tieton Intermediate and Highland Jr. High Schools attended the suicide awareness walk along with Greenway in Yakima County. Their campaign impacted a total of 623 students.