Happy April! The last month was filled with Team retreats, joy, and lots of OS programming.

With the school year coming to a close, we encourage you to keep the momentum rolling by celebrating the amazing work you have accomplished this school year. Host a senior send-off picnic, throw an end of the year pool party, hold a sunrise coffee hour. The possibilities for celebration are endless, we are proud of all of the work that has gone into communities throughout the year!

We are inviting you to sponsor a table during our 2025 Operation Snowball, Inc. Awards Banquet. Sponsoring a table at our Awards Banquet is a meaningful way to support and honor the incredible work youth, adults, and teams are doing to create positive change in our communities across the state. Your sponsorships help us celebrate their dedication, amplify their impact, and inspire continued leadership.

In recognition of your generous support, your business/organization’s logo will be prominently displayed on the sponsored table, included in our program book, and announced during the welcome ceremony – showcasing your commitment to investing in substance use prevention, mental wellness, and student leadership.

We have 10 tables to select from. Each table sponsorship is $500.

Sponsorship Includes:

• Sign with your name/logo on the table(s)

• Your name/logo in our program book

• Acknowledgement in our opening remarks

• Acknowledgement on our social media channels

The deadline for sponsorships is April 25 at 5:00pm!

Are you looking for ways to engage with your Snowball leaders and schools? Select an awareness day that your students are excited about, have a planning meeting on how you envision bringing awareness to your school/community, and implement throughout the day in-person as well as on any Team specific social media. This is a fantastic way to keep the ball rolling after the conclusion of a spring Snowball event.

Arthur, M. W., & et al. (2015). Examination of Substance use, Risk Factors, & Protective Factors on Student Academic Test Score Performance. National Library of Medicine, 85(8), 497–507. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12279 

Bugbee, B. A., & et al. (2019). Substance Use, Academic Performance, & Academic Engagement Among High school Seniors. National Library of Medicine, 89(2), 145–156. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12723 

Khalifah, W., Abu-Yusef, M., Abed-Elhadi, A., & et al. (2023). Exams-Related Stress and the Pattern of Substance Use and Misuse among Palestinian Medical & Health Science Students. Discover Psychology, 3(36). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-023-00098-y 

Sawchuk, C. N. (2024, May 14). Test Anxiety: Can it be Treated?. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/generalized-anxiety-disorder/expert-answers/test-anxiety/faq-20058195 

The students with Naperville 360 Youth Services OS Team planned and implemented another amazing retreat. They worked to create a meaningful experience and safe environment that led to a lot of engagement and growth throughout their Team. From their team-building exercises, arts and crafts, and a visit from their own "Snow Fairy" this was a fantastic retreat.

Rich Township hosted their 2025 Spring Retreat and left plenty of space for a new era to bloom. With amazing presentations from Erin Pompa and M&P, Rich Township students were encouraged to continue creating change and leaving the world better than they found it. The students put on skits themed around "Saturday Night Live", this helped the students process the weekend while having a blast.

If you need help finding speakers for your next retreat, reach out to IABH staff for more information finding the best fit for your Team.

"Snowball is wherever you are", was the theme for Evergreen Park's Spring Retreat. Their great group of Evergreen OS alumni helped the Student Leaders learn that no matter where you go or what you do Snowball never leaves you. This message left a lasting impact on everyone present, and encouraged this generation of Evergreen Snow-ballers to bring Snowball and its mission with them throughout their lives.

Elmwood Park hosted their annual Spring Lock-In. Students came together during their "Survivor" themed event to strengthen their unity and relationships, while also encouraging individual confidence and leadership. The event left students talking about the impact they hope to have in their communities and the growth they can't wait to experience.

Do you need help figuring out what kind of event suits your Team? Let us help! Reach out to IABH staff to setup a meeting to help brainstorm your next event.

Daniel Wright celebrated safety through thought-provoking presentations, discussions regarding the consequences of substance use, and a teen-safety model for parents. The students were led through numerous activities that helped them process the critical information they were learning about substance use. They rounded out their day with a dance celebration to remind their students about the positive habits they can get involved with to help steer them towards a healthy and happy life.

Downers' Grove North & South came together again to host a day-long event filled with workshops and presentations about healthy and positive decision-making.The "every-day superheroes" of North & South were celebrated throughout the event and encouraged to use the skills they learned to continue spreading positive change throughout their schools and communities.

Did you know that IABH staff are available to present a workshop at your event? If this is something you are interested in, please reach out to schedule a consultation meeting.

Gabriella Awad

Lyons Township OS

Hear from Gabriella Awad about her OS Team and what Snowball means to her:

"Thursdays are my favorite days. Not just because it’s the day before Friday, or that it’s a teaser to the weekend, or when I can begin to wind down from the week. It’s mostly because it’s the day of Snowball Meetings at Lyons Township High School. It’s the day I get to see my best friends whom I don’t have classes with. It’s the day I get to plan for my favorite retreat of the year. It’s the day I get to talk about how to spread the OSB love to other students. Can you believe that’s all in one day?! I certainly can’t, but I’m extremely lucky to experience it every week and bring the OSB love to others!

Throughout the Thursdays this school year OSB at LTHS had planned not just two retreats for high schoolers, but also retreats for elementary schoolers called Snowflakes. For the past several years LT has been consistently having successful Fall and Spring OSB retreats. Phenomenal leaders, speakers, workshops, and team building games brought the LT community closer together. Through Snowball social issues were addressed and more awareness has been brought to students and teachers alike. This success was recognized by other schools who wanted a solution to their divided grade level. 

Forest Hills Elementary School had reached out to LT OSB after hearing the success LT Snowball has with bringing its students closer together. Forest Hills was having issues with their students bullying each other, so they called on us to put together a mini Snowball (Snowflake). Two of our seniors took the initiative to put the program together where they wrote up the schedule and skits, and planned and purchased the resources necessary! The schedule consisted of team building games, a mini Theater Show, a small group session, and finally lunch with the students. The skits that were presented focused on the issue of bullying and provided a strong base for discussion in small groups. Furthermore, during this small group session and lunch we really got to know the students and give them a high schooler’s perspective (including alumni perspective) on bullying.

Overall, we had a very successful Snowflake at Forest Hills. We are looking forward to our next Snowflake in May at Ogden Elementary School! It brings me joy to know that high schoolers and elementary schoolers alike are having the opportunity to experience a little bit of my Thursdays!"

Standard Registration is now open for the Cebrin Goodman Teen Institute (CGTI), taking place July 13 – 17 at Eastern Illinois University. CGTI provides Operation Snowball Teams and Individuals with the opportunity to increase their prevention education, hone leadership skills and work on plans to better their communities throughout the year.

At CGTI, participants will get the chance to see six keynotes and four workshops, attend five small group team building sessions and five community action planning sessions, and more, that contribute to positive change, healthy decision making and personal and team growth. Make sure to use the link below to register for this wonderful experience.

Did you know that you can make a difference in your community simply by learning? Focus programming is based on student-led education efforts. This puts students in charge of how they learn the materials and how they implement it into their communities. As youth learn information and share the information with their peers and friends, it begins the conversation about prevention.

Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) just wrapped up across social media and this is one of the biggest awareness national campaigns for Youth Gambling Prevention. Our Focus Youth Gambling Prevention program focuses on educating youth to promote awareness and beginning conversations regarding gambling. If you feel there is a desire to learn about Focus or to have Focus reach out to your school, please reach out to IABH staff for more information!

Generation Lead is designed to raise awareness about substance use and misuse among youth and communities across Illinois. Offering posters and talking kits – completely free – to help support these conversations in schools and spaces. 

AVAILABLE FREE RESOURCES:

• Talking Kits: Designed for middle and high school students and guardians, covering alcohol, vaping, and marijuana. These can be placed in counseling and administrative offices or distributed at school events. 
• Posters: Covering key data from the Illinois Youth Survey (IYS), positive messaging and general substance use prevention awareness.
• These can be displayed in lunchrooms, hallways, classrooms, and bathrooms – anywhere youth frequent. 
• Order enough for your entire school or just yourself and your colleagues!

For more details about Generation lead, visit their website or follow them on social media. They would love to support your efforts in fostering meaningful conversations around prevention!

OS, Inc. | operationsnowballinc.org