The DREAM Team earned first runner-up honors at the 2026 Washington State Spring Youth Forum on May 19 in Grand Mound, Washington. The team presented the success and growth of their youth-led project, Prevention Convention: The Way to Wellness, which they developed over the past two years to foster health, connection, and well-being among students. Over the past two years, nearly 300 middle school students from Battle Ground have participated in the Prevention convention.

"Prevention Convention was created by youth, for youth," said DREAM Team member Josephine Malvini during the presentation. "We wanted students to learn healthy ways to manage stress, build positive friendships, make healthy decisions, and know where to turn for support."

Leading up to the spring forum, students collaborated during the Washington State Prevention Summit to build leadership skills and design interactive initiatives that address substance use, mental health, and wellness education. Because of the DREAM Team’s ongoing history of excellence and impactful peer-led work, the team was also selected to be featured in an upcoming national video series produced for a curriculum company.

Way to go, DREAM team!