Students from across Southwest Washington were recognized for their leadership, creativity and commitment to prevention at the 2026 Washington State Spring Youth Forum, held on May 19 at Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound. The annual event, themed Cascade of Change, brought together 44 youth prevention teams from across Washington to celebrate student-led projects that promote healthy choices and strengthen communities. Funded and hosted by the Washington State Health Care Authority, the Spring Youth Forum is Washington’s premier celebration of youth-led prevention work.

The forum serves as a follow-up to the Washington State Prevention Summit, held each fall. Together, the two events create a cycle of learning and action, equipping students with prevention education and planning skills before providing a statewide platform to showcase the projects they have implemented in their schools and communities. Southwest Washington was well represented, with eight teams earning scholarships to attend and present their prevention initiatives.

“Supporting youth leadership is at the heart of prevention work,” said Joy Lyons, director of Prevention Programs at ESD 112. “The Spring Youth Forum gives students a chance to share their successes, learn from one another and see that their ideas can make a lasting difference across Washington.”

The GREAT Prevention Club wins Sustainability Award

The GREAT Prevention Club Fort Vancouver High School in Vancouver wins Sustainability Award

Several regional teams received statewide honors for their projects:

  • Axe of Kindness from Longview received the Impact Award for Prevention is Key: Locking Up Alcohol to Protect Teens
  • Clark County Teens for Tomorrow earned the Collaboration and Partnerships Award for its project, Vape Quit Kits
  • The GREAT Prevention Club from Fort Vancouver High School in Vancouver received the Sustainability Award for Nar-CAN Saves Lives and So Can You
  • D.R.E.A.M. Team from Battle Ground advanced to the final round and earned second place overall for its project, Prevention Convention: The Way to Wellness
  • GHS Prevention Club from Goldendale advanced to the final round of competition with its project, Hunt for Health: Vape Prevention Scavenger Hunt

Additional participating teams from the Southwest Washington region included TADAA, Time for Teams from Klickitat, WEB Crew Prevention Squad, and WHS Ambassadors.

During the forum, teams presented their projects to peers and judges, sharing successes, lessons learned and measurable impacts. Projects were evaluated on innovation, sustainability, impact, collaboration and presentation quality, with top-scoring teams advancing to a final round of presentations.

One of the most memorable presentations came from the event’s grand prize-winning team, a group of seventh-grade students from Republic, Washington. The students gathered feedback from their peers by asking two simple questions: What is the biggest challenge students face right now, and what would make the biggest difference at school this year? Using those responses, they developed activities and supports tailored to students’ needs throughout the school year.

“The winning project was a powerful reminder that meaningful prevention starts with listening,” said Kelley Groen-Sieckmann, community prevention project coordinator for Central Vancouver Coalition. “They listened to their peers, identified a need and built solutions based on what students said would help them most.”

The success of Southwest Washington’s teams reflects the dedication of students, advisors, prevention professionals and community partners who support youth-led prevention efforts across the region.

The Spring Youth Forum continues to inspire young leaders across Washington to identify community challenges, develop solutions and create lasting positive change. Schools and organizations interested in participating in future prevention initiatives are encouraged to explore opportunities through the Washington State Prevention Summit and the Spring Youth Forum.

For more information about the Spring Youth Forum and its impact on youth-led prevention work, visit www.springyouthforum.org.