The Holliston Drug & Alcohol Awareness Coalition (HDAAC) Youth Action Team (YAT) is made up of around 40 passionate student leaders from all four grade levels who are committed to improving the health and wellness of their school and community. The group had an impactful and inspiring 2025–2026 school year filled with leadership, advocacy, prevention efforts, and community connection. Through service projects, statewide and national advocacy, wellness initiatives, and peer outreach, YAT members demonstrated how young people can create positive change both locally and beyond.
One of the team’s first community service efforts this year was a cleanup at Stoddard Park in November. Despite cold temperatures after school, nine YAT students volunteered their time to collect trash throughout the area, including discarded beer bottles. The event highlighted the group’s dedication to both environmental stewardship and substance use prevention awareness.
YAT also focused heavily on peer connection and mental health support through creative outreach projects. In the fall, members assembled and distributed Halloween Goodie Bags to 200 students. The bags included stress-relief items, candy, toys, and mental health resources designed to help students feel supported during one of the more stressful times of the school year. In February, the group brought back its Valentine’s Candy Gram initiative, encouraging students to spread positivity by nominating classmates or teachers to receive bags filled with candy, fidget toys, and wellness resources. More than 100 students received candy grams, helping strengthen kindness and connection throughout the school community.
This year also provided students with opportunities to advocate at both the state and national levels. Nine YAT members traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the CADCA National Leadership Forum, where they learned about prevention strategies and met with legislators on Capitol Hill to discuss the importance of prevention funding. The experience helped students further develop leadership and advocacy skills while representing Holliston on a national stage. As one student reflected, “The youth are the future and it does matter what we decide to do with our voices.” Learn more about our trip to DC in our other article here!
At the Massachusetts State House, eight YAT members joined over 200 students from across the Commonwealth at ENUFF Day, an event organized by The 84 Movement to combat youth nicotine use. Sophomore Luca Huntington played a leadership role through his work on The 84’s Statewide Leadership Board, helping organize the event, while senior Max Collins received the 2026 Statewide Youth Leadership Award for his advocacy efforts. Reflecting on the experience, Sophomore, Sasha Wang, shared, “Attending ENUFF Day was an amazing experience. It was awesome to see my good friend Max give their heartfelt speech, and it reminded me why I joined HDAAC. Joining HDAAC reminds me to lead with empathy to help the cause.”
Another seven YAT students also participated in Alcohol Day at the State House, where they advocated for increased alcohol taxes as a proven strategy to reduce underage drinking. Students had the opportunity to meet directly with Senate President Karen Spilka and discuss prevention policy with state leaders. Holliston’s YAT was also selected by Boston University’s media team to be featured in a statewide article highlighting youth advocacy efforts. Reflecting on the experience, Sophomore, Greta Parker, shared, “Preparing and going to the State House truly taught me the impact of youth voices, and how, no matter how small, all progress goes towards creating true change.”
Back at Holliston High School, the team hosted its third annual impaired driving prevention event, which expanded this year into a larger “Wellness Field Day.” Approximately 400 students participated in activities that included an impaired-driving simulation, therapy dogs, brain trivia activities, an ambulance tour, and a medical helicopter visit. The event blended education with engaging experiences that promoted healthy choices and wellness awareness. Reflecting on the experience, Sophomore, Lili Donlan, shared, “It was fulfilling to be able to bring awareness of substance abuse to our school in a way that was both educational and fun for my peers.”
Additional prevention initiatives included Sticker Shock, a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at reducing underage drinking. YAT members placed informational stickers in local stores reminding adults not to purchase alcohol for minors and educating the community about Massachusetts Social Host Laws. Students also created a Protective Factors Mural highlighting healthy coping skills such as exercise, music, reading, family support, pets, and spending time in nature. In partnership with Holliston Hub, five YAT students also filmed wellness-focused videos that will be used in future 7th and 8th grade wellness classes.
Throughout the year, YAT members participated in numerous trainings and educational opportunities focused on public speaking, advocacy, brain health, and risk and protective factors. In response to student interest, the coalition also launched a new “mini-assembly series” at Holliston High School, bringing in speakers to address topics important to students. One of those speakers was Darryl Bellamy of Fear(less) Inside for an interactive workshop focused on identifying fears, developing healthy coping strategies, and recognizing that no one faces challenges alone. The program resonated deeply with the approximately 80 students who participated. One student shared, “Among all the presentations on fear and anxiety the schools have done over the years, this one was the best. It really emphasized unity and how we are all together in our struggles.”
We finished the year by brainstorming new ideas for next year and celebrating all of their accomplishments at Level 99 in Natick! A special congrats was given to Luca Huntington for being Most Involved this year; Colin Clougher for showing the Most Growth between this year and last; Anna Peterson, Greta Parker, and Alyssa Balardini for being our Best New Voices; and of course, our Lifetime Achievement Award went to graduating senior and original founding member of the YAT, Max Collins.
Beyond educational programming, YAT members dedicated over 300 volunteer hours to community outreach opportunities including Celebrate Holliston, Trunk or Treat, football game tabling events, club fairs, recovery awareness events, and presentations for coaches and students. Overall, the 2025–2026 school year showcased the tremendous impact the Youth Action Team continues to have through advocacy, education, service, and leadership. From local projects to statewide and national initiatives, YAT members proved that student voices can make a meaningful difference in promoting health, prevention, and community wellness.
