The hot Florida sun beat down on the pavement near the clear pool. Hotel guests lounged under giant umbrellas while pool staff waited on their every whim. Behind the pool were the green rolling hills of the hotel’s pristine golf course, and beyond that: the Disney Orlando parks… and I was inside, trapped between four windowless tan walls of the hotel conference center, listening to a man robotically explain how to identify a community’s substance abuse issues for about the thousandth time that morning. Little did I know that I would find one of my greatest passions in that stuffy room.

I glared down at my CADCA badge as four college students flailed and jumped around the room. I scribbled a note on a pad of paper and passed it to Celia, one of the students from my school that attended the conference with me. Guess what? I’m 16, not 8. When are we actually going to learn something? She nodded back, equally frustrated. Kelley, our advisor, looked at us and flashed a smile. “It’ll get better,” she said, “Let’s just make the most of it.” I exhaled loudly, but reluctantly agreed. I hope she’s right…

“Let’s map out the problems in your community”. I rolled my eyes and turned to the group. Not another one of these activities. “What do you think, guys?” Kelley smiled at us again. “I guess marijuana’s an issue,” I replied exasperatedly. I looked around the table to see the reactions from the coalition. I was surprised to see five smiling faces nodding back at me. I felt the group’s approval radiating across the table. Okay... I think I’m on to something here. “Let’s face it,” I continued, “Marijuana is being used, bought, and sold in the school. One girl was welcomed with open arms by the majority of the students after she came back from her suspension for the possession and sale of marijuana. I’ve lost friends just because I don’t smoke. It’s just not okay”. I always disliked people abusing substances, but now I felt so different; the distaste felt more intense. It’s just not okay. My words greatly resonated with me. While the other students filed out of the room for a snack break, I moved closer to Kelley’s chair. “I’m feeling passionate about this topic. How can I take action?” Kelley grinned again, “Well...”

I am free inside four white walls of yet another conference room, but this time, I wasn’t listening. I stood in front of the rows of community members and confidently presented. “Marijuana can really hurt people’s relationships with others, but we need to instill upon our youth the confidence to fight against peer pressure. We need to show them that they have a voice and that they don't have to accept other student’s behaviors. Students shouldn’t have to stand by watching students abuse marijuana. It’s just not okay”. As the audience applauded, I smiled to myself, knowing that I had, indeed, made the most of my experience.