From left: Cyrus Malapajo (counselor), Joseph Mills (counselor), Wean Naun Pien, Deion Inthoulay, Chanthadeth Chanthalangsy, Kevin Tu, Tawn Saephanh and Peter Phan
A group of six students from Franklin High School, part of the Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) Southeast Asian Young Men’s Group took home the top prize at the 2012 Spring Youth Forum, a summit organized by the Department of Social and Health Services and the Washington Attorney General’s Office. Forty-two student-teams presented programs on preventing substance abuse, violence, and other destructive behaviors. The ACRS group presented on issues surrounding their immigrant and refugee upbringing, such as the identity crises that lead to problems like drug use and gang involvement. Their documentary, which showed the struggles of a young man quitting marijuana cold turkey, earned a standing ovation and helped the group win a $3000 check. (end)