Madison County Middle School’s Trusted Adult Campaign & Georgia Substance Use Prevention Day Capitol Visit
The 2024–2025 school year was an exciting one for the Madison County Middle School Sources of Strength team, filled with creativity, leadership, and opportunities to share their message of hope, help, and strength.
Highlighting Trusted Adults
For their featured campaign of the year, the Peer Leaders focused on the theme of Trusted Adults. With the support of their Adult Advisors, they set out to capture the voices and perspectives of those who guide and support young people every day.
The Peer Leaders interviewed over 20 staff members, including the principal, teachers, custodians, counselors, and coaches, asking thoughtful questions such as “How do you establish trust and open communication with young people?” and “How do you approach difficult topics, such as mental health or bullying?”
These conversations were compiled into a 32-minute video introducing students to their Trusted Adults and highlighting ways adults can support youth through caring, connection, and open communication. The finished video was shown on the big screen during all three lunch periods, reaching the entire student body of about 1,200 students, as well as faculty. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with students and staff alike celebrating the campaign’s success.
A Day at the Capitol
In February, the Sources of Strength team traded their school hallways for the halls of power in Atlanta, attending Substance Use Prevention Day at the Georgia State Capitol. Wearing matching sweatshirts they designed themselves, the group of 28 Peer Leaders and four Adult Advisors joined the rally before touring the Capitol building.
The students met with Representative Spencer Frye, Minority Caucus Vice-Chairman, along with his Chief of Staff Juliana Hartley. They also connected with Representative Sharon Cooper, Chairman of the Public and Community Health Committee, and Representative Long Tran of North DeKalb. Representative Frye even complimented their custom sweatshirts and joked that he would love one for himself.
Peer Leaders reflected on how their years in Sources of Strength have shaped their middle school experience, describing it as a group that consistently promotes kindness, inclusion, and the power of strength-based leadership. Many shared their excitement about continuing with Sources of Strength at the high school level.
Looking Ahead
From sparking meaningful conversations about trust to representing their school at the state level, Madison County Middle School’s Peer Leaders demonstrated what it means to lead with compassion and purpose. Their efforts this year not only strengthened connections within their school but also inspired them to carry those values forward into the next chapter of their education and leadership journey.