Maui Teens Named to Hawaii Meth Project Council

Hawaii Meth Project 2012-2013 Teen Advisory Council.

By Wendy Osher

Eight students from Maui County were selected as the newest members of the Teen Advisory Council for the Hawaii Meth Project.

The council was formed to assist the project in its statewide community outreach programs to help raise awareness about the risks of methamphetamine use.

Members also help by providing a teen perspective on the prevention campaign’s strategies and messages.

Aja Toscano. Photo courtesy Hawaii Meth Project.

Joey Cardoza. Photo, Hawaii Meth Project.

The Hawaii Meth Project Teen Advisory Council is comprised of 21 high school students representing public and private schools from across the state.

Maui students selected include: Joey Cardoza*, 11th grade, St. Anthony Junior-Senior High School; Oksana Gil, 11th grade, King Kekaulike High School; Rachel Nguyen, 11th grade, Seabury Hall; Tyler Rabara, 11th grade, King Kekaulike High School; Malia Refamonte*, 12th grade, Lahainaluna High School; and Aja Toscano*, 12th grade, Lahainaluna High School. (NOTE: * indicates returning members).

Malia Refamonte. Photo, Hawaii Meth Project.

Oksana Gil. Photo, Hawaii Meth Project.

On Lanai, 12th grader Melissa Agcaoili from Lanai High School was selected; and on Molokai, 11th grader Hope Will from Molokai High School was named to the Teen Advisory Council.

Students were selected through a competitive application and interview process.

Each council member will be tasked with creating and implementing a service project in their community during the school year.

In addition, the teens will represent the Hawaii Meth Project at community events, initiate activities at their schools, and engage peers online via social media.

Rachel Nguyen. Photo, Hawaii Meth Project.

Tyler Rabara. Photo, Hawaii Meth Project.

“It’s such an honor to be part of a group that is so passionate about the fight against meth in our schools and communities,” said Michelle Fratinardo, a senior at Kamehameha Schools Hawai’i in a statement today.

As a returning member, Fratinardo said she has been given a leadership role, interviewing and mentoring incoming members, and serving as a moderator for a recent summit held at the State Capitol.

Other members of the 2012-2013 Teen Advisory Council include:

• Kauai students: Jordan Balbin, 12th grade, Kauai High School; Bryson Cayaban*, 12th grade, Waimea High School; and Mae Ortega, 12th grade, Kapaa High School.
• Big Island students: Michelle Fratinardo*, 12th grade, Kamehameha Schools Hawaii; Lauren Pries, 12th grade, Hawaii Preparatory Academy; Kayla Yamada, 11th grade, Waiakea High School; and Mahealani Yoshida*, 12th grade, Konawaena High School.
• Oahu students: Isabel Luk, 12th grade, St. Francis High School; Emily McLain, 11th grade, Kamehemeha School Kapalama; Grace Nikaido*, 12th grade, Farrington High School; Andrew Polk, 10th grade, Leilehua High School; Macey Seguancia, 11th grade, Roosevelt High School; Bryson Shea, 12th grade, Hawaii Baptist Academy.

Since launching the initiative in January, seven schools on four islands have hosted a Meth Awareness Day program.  The events across the state included sign waving by students that carried a visible message of a stand against methamphetamine use.

***Supporting information courtesy Hawai’i Meth Project.