Chanute students launch new peer-led drug prevention club after national conference win
A group of Chanute High School students is working to launch a new peer-led drug awareness and prevention club after winning a national “Shark Tank”-style competition at a youth leadership conference in Arizona earlier this month.
The six students traveled to the Vive18 Leadership Conference in Mesa, Arizona, Dec. 5–7, where youth teams from across the country were challenged to develop an idea they could take back to their communities to address substance abuse and mental wellness.
“They told us we had to come up with something that would actually help our school,” Freshman Garrett Engleman said. “We all agreed there’s a vaping problem here, so we thought this might help.”
The students pitched the idea for a new club — tentatively named BOLT, which stands for Breaking Our Limits Together — focused on peer support, drug and vaping prevention, and creating positive alternatives for students.
Their presentation earned first place among 13 teams representing nine states, winning an initial $500 prize. Two partner organizations later agreed to match the funds, bringing the total startup funding to more than $1,500.
“It was kind of like Shark Tank,” Freshman Luke Fewins said. “We pitched in front of the judges, and they said ours was the best.”
The students’ trip was made possible through a Kansas Fights Addiction Grant, which supports youth prevention efforts. SEK Recovery Resources partnered with Vive18 and Chanute High School to allow students to attend the conference.
“We didn’t go there planning to start a club,” said April Jackson, director of SEK Recovery Resources. “The idea came from the students while they were there.”
While the club is not yet officially approved, students plan to present their proposal to the Chanute USD 413 school board at its Jan. 12 meeting. If approved, the club would meet monthly and focus on positive alternative activities.
“The main thing is just giving kids a positive sense of community,” one student said. “Something to do besides getting in trouble.”
Students also said the club would emphasize peer support and leadership, rather than punishment or lectures.
In addition to winning the competition, students said the conference experience itself was meaningful.
“There were kids there from all over the country,” one student said. “It really made us feel like we could make a difference here.”
And, for at least one attendee, the Arizona weather didn’t hurt.
“I was swimming outside on Dec. 7,” Fewins said with a laugh.
If the board approves the club, students plan to officially launch BOLT later this spring, potentially with a kickoff event featuring a national Vive18 speaker.
Community members interested in supporting the club can contact SEK Recovery Resources or the Neosho County Agency Resource Team (NCART).
For now, the students are focused on getting approval — and turning a conference idea into something that makes a difference at home.
“We just want to make our school better,” Engleman said.
A team of six outstanding student leaders from USD 413 Chanute High School returned home this week as national champions after winning the Shark Tank youth challenge at the 2025 Vive18 Leadership Conference, held Dec. 5–7 in Mesa, Arizona. The student group representatives were, ninth grade – Kyndall Lopez, Luke Fewins, Jennika Ruark, Addyson Garcia, Garrett Engleman and 10th grade – Alexis Cunningham. Advisors were School Resource Officer Captain Matt Morgan, CHS Counselor Morgan Porter and April Jackson from SEK Recovery Resources. Courtesy Photos | Chanute High School
