Sarah Umbarger, Marshall County High School Sophomore, received a $1500 grant from Global Youth Mobilization and a $300 grant from America’s Promise Alliance. These grants are distributed to teens across the country who are devoted to service in their communities. The funding will be donated to support the Substance Abuse Safe Space Program at MCHS.
Umbarger and two of her classmates began the Substance Abuse Safe Space program to combat an increase in vaping among teens. Their work has led to a meeting held at school to teach about the dangers of vaping. Students will obtain a certificate from the American Lung Association on completion. The program is student led, and they have engaged community partners to help in facilitation.
Umbarger said “Developing this program has improved my leadership abilities, my organizational skills, and my understanding of the importance of addressing mental health. Being a part of the development of SASS is one of my proudest accomplishments because I know it will live on after I have left Marshall County High School.”
She was recently selected to represent Kentucky at the National Youth Advocate Program, where she and students across the nation will participate in an advocacy and engagement opportunity, culminating in a trip to Washington D.C. There she will attend Capitol Hill meetings, advocate for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility programs, and meet with senators and representatives from Kentucky.
Service is something that drives Umbarger, as she is founder and president of Student Y at MCHS. She is one of 10 on the Kentucky Student Y Council, where she serves as Assistant Editor of Media Corps and was named Outstanding Ambassador at the Kentucky United Nations Assembly. She is the State Finance Director for Kentucky Youth Climate Strike, serves as a Teen Advisory Counselor for the Marshall County Arts Commission and is a member of the Marshall County High School Voice Collective. She is also an active member of the Drama team.
Beth Baker, director of Marshall Mission YSC at MCHS said of Umbarger, “Sarah has taken great initiative in championing the development and ensuring the longevity of the SASS Program here at MCHS. We are blessed to have leaders like her in our midst, and she truly represents the meaning of being a Marshal.”