A lesson in healthy choices became a message to share at Pryor Middle School.

Mrs. Gage’s leadership students combined research, teamwork, and graphic design to create tabletop flyers promoting a healthy, drug-free lifestyle during Red Ribbon Week. Displayed in clear, stand-up sleeves throughout the middle school cafeteria, the flyers brought student-created awareness messages to the lunch table.

Working in teams, students researched their topics using 10 sources and provided the URLs to document where they found their information. The assignment challenged them to turn their research into clear, informative designs that would catch their classmates’ attention.

Each flyer carried two messages. One side focused on fentanyl awareness and warnings about its dangers, while the other addressed the health risks associated with tobacco use and vaping.

The finished displays allowed students to put their learning into practice for an audience beyond the classroom. The students' research supplied the information, their graphic design helped communicate it, and teamwork brought the pieces together.

Through the project, Mrs. Gage’s students practiced an important part of leadership: sharing knowledge to help others make informed choices.