Each year, two schools will be recognized for their efforts conducting school-based youth suicide prevention activities. Schools with a student enrollment of 1,000 or less will be eligible for one award and schools with a student enrollment over 1,000 will be eligible for the other award. Schools will receive a trophy - suitable for display - and a $500 check to help enhance their prevention efforts the following year.
- Implementation plan & order sheet are filled out and submitted in a timely fashion
- Percent of students participating on suicide prevention team in comparison to overall school population
- Number of presentations facilitated at own school, at other local schools and at community organizations/groups
- Number of specialty items (keychains, stickers, t-shirts) distributed
- Number of prevention elements planned vs. the number actually implemented
- Percent of students impacted by prevention messages in comparison to overall school population
Evidence of creative ways of delivering the key messages of suicide prevention:
- Youth suicide is a serious problem in our state
- There are warning signs to watch for
- There are prevention steps you can take to help a friend (Show You Care, Ask the Question & Get Help)
These awards are named in memory of a young man who died by suicide in 1992. Each school year, Trevor's parents, Scot and Leah Simpson, present the 2 winning schools with an engraved trophy and a check for $500.00 to enhance their prevention efforts for the coming year.
We are proud of these schools for going above and beyond the campaign expectations.
ANNOUNCING - The 2010-2011 Trevor Simpson Award Winners
Two middle schools, Cedar Heights (Kent School District) and Ellen Ochoa (Pasco School District), were selected as this year’s winners of the Trevor R. Simpson Award. Make sure to check back in the Fall when we post information about each school's awards presentation and photos.
Cedar Heights Middle School (Kent):
On October 28, 2011, Leah Simpson presented the Cedar Heights Middle School Lifesavers suicide prevention group with the Trevor Simpson Award. The students and their liaison, Amy Wiskerchen, organized a team that facilitated 28 classroom presentations. Those presentations taught students how to recognize the warning signs for depression and suicide, and most importantly, how they can get help for a friend. As a result of this education, many more students have come forward and shared concerns with the counseling staff about other students who are struggling with stress and depression. Great work and congratulations to them for going above and beyond the campaign expectations!
Ellen Ochoa Middle School (Pasco)
Claudia Serna-Stephenson guided a team of 55 Natural Helper students at Ellen Ochoa Middle School in Pasco. They facilitated 33 classroom presentations to win the Trevor Simpson Award! The award was presented at a pep assembly on September 16th. The spirited crowd fell silent as Leah Simpson presented the award, which is named in honor of her son. In addition to student education, YSPP Field Coordinator Kristi Haynes was also able to present at a school parent meeting, providing information and resources. The students also shared their suicide prevention message at the annual community walk on September 17th and lead over 200 people on a one mile march to raise awareness!
YSPP is also pleased to recognize the following schools with an honorable mention:
- Riverside Middle School (Spokane County)
- Ballard High School (King County)
