SLIPPERY ROCK — While working with the Teen Institute, Joan Timko has watched students transform into excellent role models.

"It amazes me the growth that you can see in a kid who was in it in sixth grade, and then they volunteer to come back as a leader," Timko said.

Timko, the school nurse at Slippery Rock High School, said the summer program has now been going on for five years, combating drug and alcohol use while promoting self-esteem and leadership.

The students have returned to school to spread the knowledge they learned at the two-day program through different clubs, including the Teen Institute Club, Teens Against Drugs and Alcohol and Teens Against Tobacco Use.

"The main purpose is to promote leadership, reinforce a drug-free lifestyle and promote good decision making," Timko said.

The school invites 48 students from sixth to ninth grades who are recommended by teachers and staff to participate. About 74 children participated at the event on June 16 to 17 at Slippery Rock Middle School and Slippery Rock University, which includes those who came back from previous years to become leaders.

"It's necessary so the children who are making the right decisions and doing the right things are reinforced and recognized for making those decisions," Timko said. "It introduces them to other children who have made the same decisions they have to remain drug and alcohol free, especially in this sixth through ninth age group."

Timko said this is a critical time for that age group because there is a lot more peer pressure to decide which path to take.

"This gives them activities in a group that say, 'No I don't want to be involved in drugs and alcohol, I want to make the right decisions and I want to help other people do that too,'" Timko said.

"It's a lot better if they see their peers speaking up about making the right decisions as opposed to parents and teachers. It's those peer to peer relationships that are important."

The summer Teen Institute program includes workshops by Gateway Rehabilitation and the Victim Outreach Intervention Center, along with groups discussing family dynamics, self-esteem and leadership.

In addition to returning for the school year to become members of preventive clubs, Timko also said the students act as peer buddies for new students or other children having difficulties fitting into the crowd.

"In the years we have been doing this, I have heard from students and parents who have said it was the best thing that happened to them.

"It's how they feel connected to the school, and it's what they talk about when they go home," Timko said. "It's a public commitment to remain drug and alcohol free."

Ashley Lindey, 16, who is a junior, said she gained new friendships from the program.

"I was one of the leaders and to see the kids be able to stick up to the older kids is cool to see," Ashley said.

She also learned a lot about the effects drugs and alcohol have on the body, brain and the relationships of people who use them.

"There is stuff that goes around, and it's a lot easier to say no when you know how it affects you," Ashley said.

Jocelyn Kelsey, 14, who is in ninth grade, said she learned how to be more social with other groups, not only within her circle of friends.

"It brought me closer with the older kids and on the rope courses I challenged myself," Jocelyn said. "I actually spoke what was on my mind, and I am a lot more positive now."

She also said she brought back more knowledge this year at school about drugs and alcohol.

"I learned how many bad things can happen if you are into them," Jocelyn said. "I understand, and now I tell people not to do that."