Put on by Worland Middle School and organizations across the community, Choices That Matter on Wednesday, May 1 will provide Worland eighth graders with a chance to learn about the significance of their actions and potential impacts they can face.

Worland Middle School counselor Danielle Warren, who has helped organize Choices That Matter for the past 10 years, explained how students will learn about a variety of topics that will impact their future, as the students are just months before their first year in high school.

According to Warren, students will visit with representatives of the Washakie Prevention Coalition, tour the Washakie County jail with law enforcement, learn about health and safety in relationships from Washakie County Public Health, Cloud Peak Counseling and the Crisis Prevention and Response Center, simulate and see the results of distracted driving from Wyoming Highway Patrol and firefighters, and learn about many more topics.

On the other end of the spectrum, Warren said the students will also be introduced to fun activities, such as repelling.

“The point is that students would understand that the choices they make now, could affect their future […] All of the stations that they go to are geared towards making better life choices and understanding the impact that our choices have on others and ourselves,” said Warren.

As students go to stations in small groups of 10, Warren said the event provides students with a safe, intimate setting to learn about these topics and ask questions.

Following the event each year, Warren said they meet with the community and students to receive feedback and make changes as necessary. This year’s event will not have any significant changes.