LCAHY Recognizes Members of Teens for Healthy Youth and Celebrates its 10 Year Anniversary

The LowCountry Alliance for Healthy Youth (LCAHY) honored the youth coalition, Teens for Healthy Youth (THY), during LCAHY’s annual recognition ceremony.  About 82 Teens for Healthy Youth members and their families attended the celebration. On behalf of LCAHY, Teens for Healthy Youth Advisors presented their respective THY members a certificate of recognition from LCAHY and a $20 gift card as a token of appreciation for their efforts. Jim Berl, long-time board member, recognized the projects and initiatives LCAHY’s interns worked on during the year on behalf of the intern preceptor, Dr. Novince.

LCAHY’s Youth Coordinator, Laura Pirkey, and THY representatives highlighted numerous accomplishments of Bluffton High, Cross Schools, Hilton Head Christian Academy, May River High, Hilton Head Island High, McCracken Middle, Bluffton Middle, River Ridge, and Hilton Head Prep THY groups during the 2025-2026 school year.  Several projects highlighted included: educating peers in Prevention Plus Wellness Program to promote total health and wellness; Suicide Prevention; Bullying Prevention Projects; Shattering the Myths during NIDA’s National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, educating on Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, promoting Random Acts of Kindness Day; and projects addressing positive mental health with a focus on teen stress. To view the full Google Slides presentation 2026 THY Recognition Slide Show.   LCAHY celebrated ten years of its youth coalition via a video presentation of past and present projects and events Celebrating 10 Years of THY.

The LCAHY Outstanding Seniors were also announced and celebrated by LCAHY. Aviana Stevens and Claudia Barrientos were named LCAHY’s Outstanding Seniors for their sustained dedication to promoting positive teen health in their communities and schools, and for going above and beyond to do events and projects for LCAHY. They will receive a $750 monetary award for their efforts.

Lieutenant Washington, CIA Representative for the Law Enforcement Sector, announced a new award, called the Dr. Loretta Novince Award. This award honors an individual who shows commitment, passion, and enthusiasm for volunteering in recognition of Dr. Novince, LCAHY/THY Consultant, DFC Grant Writer, and longtime board member. Isabella Carbone was named LACHY’s 2026 Dr. Loretta Novince Award winner for all the heart she put into THY project and initiatives at Cross Schools. See the video to learn more about the award https://youtu.be/x_UyfbAXXOI .

Aviana Stevens was also recognized by Laura Pirkey, DFC Program Director, for serving for two years in the position of LCAHY’s Youth CIA representative to the board. She noted that Avi served with enthusiasm, diligence, and a can-do attitude. Avi served as an intern for LCAHY and worked on important projects like LCAHY's Dentist initiative. Avi co-presented about THY/LCAHY Prevention Efforts at the South Carolina Smoke-Free Summit in Columbia, accepted a Proclamation on behalf of LCAHY, and served as President of Bluffton THY for two years among many other activities. Recognizing LCAHY’s Youth Coalition is an activity is LCAHY’s 12-Month Action Plan Under Strategy 5 Incentive/Disincentives.

Pastor Lawson, CIA for the Faith-based Sector, gave the invocation for the ceremony.

LCAHY’s Chair, Wendy Cummings, gave a welcome and an overview of the coalition and the Drug-Free Communities Grant.

Jim Berl, LCAHY’s Treasurer, recognized the work of LCAHY’s interns during the event on behalf of Dr. Novice, LCAHY's preceptor for youth interns.

Teens for Healthy Youth members from all the schools shared information about projects and community events they participated in to promote positive teen health, reduce substance use, and address related risk factors.

Bluffton High School THY members and their THY Advisor, Laura Pirkey.

Bluffton Middle School THY group with their recognition certificates.

Teens for Healthy Youth members from Cross Schools with their THY Advisors, Grey Anne Yeager and Wendy Cummings.

THY Advisor, Lauren Borack, and THY members from Hilton Head Christian Academy.

Hilton Head Island THY members and THY Advisors, Laura Fuller & Jennifer Weitekamper.

Emerald Bowen and THY members at McCracken Middle School.

May River High School Teens for Healthy Youth members.

Aviana Stevens, LCAHY’s Youth CIA, applauded Teens for Healthy Youth for their year-round efforts to promote total health and wellness and announced that Victoria De Armas would be taking her place next year.

Aviana Stevens and Claudia Barrientos, seniors and THY Leaders at Bluffton High School, were awarded the 2026 LACHY Outstanding Senior Service Award for going above and beyond to promote positive teen health and carry out the mission of LCAHY.

Lieutenant Washington, LCAHY’s CIA in Law Enforcement, had the honor of recognizing all the contributions that Dr. Novice has made to the coalition and announced that her legacy would continue through the Dr. Loretta Novice Service Award.

Isabelle Carbone, Cross Schools THY, will display the Dr. Loretta Novince plaque in her school until the next recipient is announced at the next annual recognition ceremony.

Joy Nelson, LCAHY’s Media Sector CIA, gave closing remarks during the ceremony. She stressed the importance of the work the youth do to make their community and schools a healthier, safer, and kinder place.