Seven members of Tyrone High School’s Aevidum club attended the annual summit meeting of Aevidum schools across the region on Thursday, Feb. 19, at Central Cambria High School in Ebensburg.

The Tyrone Aevidum members met with representatives from area schools that already have an Aevidum club, and students from schools that are hoping to create a new club in their school.

Aevidum is a network of local clubs in high schools, middle schools, elementary schools, and colleges across the nation that empower youth to shatter the silence surrounding depression, suicide, and other issues facing teens.

Students attending the meeting were greeted by the Central Cambria High School Band and presented with a swag bag, a bracelet with Aevidum’s slogan, a pen, and a guide with information on how to start and improve the club.

During the program, they met with Aevidum members from other schools, played icebreakers, watched and discussed videos about mental health awareness and how to empower other students, and shared their individual visions and ideas for the club.

Tyrone Area High School guidance counselors Nicole Taneyhill and Shannon Flanagan also attended. The advisers had their own breakout groups where they met advisers from other schools and learned how to improve the club, motivate students, get more students involved, and create leadership groups.

The seven members from Tyrone that attend left feeling inspired and are planning several activities for the future.

“We want Tyrone to be a safe space where people can be themselves and reach out for help. Aevidum members have many new, fun ideas that students should look forward to for the rest of the year and next year,” club member Genna Naylor said.

The Tyrone students in attendance were Amaya Martin, Genna Naylor, Emily Houghton, Potter Myers, Addison Zeiders, Alice Knarr, and Sarah Chichester.

Students interested in joining the group should talk to one of the high school counselors, current members, or sign up in the guidance office.