Needham Youth Services Presents

Left to right: Jon Mattleman, Director at Youth Services, Alexa Stevens, December RAY Recipient, Needham Business Representative, Louise Condon owner of Condon Realty

Alexa is a senior at Needham High School. She was nominated for her volunteer work with SALSA (Students Advocating Life without Substance Abuse) by Katie Mullen, the clubs advisor.

SALSA is a joint effort between the Pollard administration, the Coalition for Youth Substance Abuse Prevention and the Needham Public Schools Department of Health and Wellness; it began in the fall of 2012. Alexa is one of the founding members and has continued as an active member for 4 years. SALSA students at Needham High school are trained annually by FCD Prevention Works a Global Non-Profit Substance Abuse Prevention Organization on how to teach middle school students to say “no” to any risky behavior such as drugs and alcohol. Each month SALSA students present to Pollard 8th grade Health classes explain their background, and what they do outside of school to stay healthy and why they have chosen to say ‘no” to risky behavior in High School. What sets Alexa apart from the other students is that she not only recognized and spoke up about an important issue in our schools but she became part of the solution, according to Karen Mullen her advisor.

Alexa is a member of the National Honor Society and is on the Own Your Own Peace Coalition. She is also involved with Students Acting to Make a Difference (SAMD) who performed in Chicago. Alexa was a part of Project Moves Dance Company, they teach anti bullying and acceptance to middle and high school students through dance shows. The highlight for Alexa was when we had a show for Needham. She choreographed four productions in Needham that have raised thousands of dollars for different charities including The Brain Tumor Foundation, Make a Wish Foundation and Project Moves Dance Company.

In her free time Alexa enjoys being with friends, babysitting, as well as teaching herself how to play the ukulele.

Watch the ceremony honoring Alexa at: https://youtu.be/RCDIrhPfa1c

For more information please visit www.needhamma.gov/youth/ray