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Wasatch High CAPS students propose underage‑drinking decals, plan May 3 kickoff at aquatic center
Summary
Students in Wasatch High School’s CAPS program presented a Parents Empowered–funded public‑service campaign to place underage‑drinking prevention decals at the Wasatch Aquatic Center and host a family‑focused kickoff event on May 3; presenters said they will measure impact using future SHARPS survey data.
Students from Wasatch High School’s CAPS (Career and Professional Studies) program asked the Wasatch County School Board on Thursday to approve a placement and outreach plan for a public‑service campaign aimed at preventing underage drinking.
“We are currently working on the Wasatch Behavioral Health Public Service Announcement Campaign,” said Carla Nava, a CAPS presenter. The team told the board the project would place prevention decals and related messaging on the south windows and seating areas at the Wasatch Aquatic Center and hold a family‑focused event planned for May 3.
The presentation listed local partners that will host or support the installation, including Jared Hendry, manager of the Wasatch Aquatic Center; representatives from Wasatch Behavioral Health; district communications director Kiersa Albert; and creative work by R and R Partners of Salt Lake City. Presenters said the campaign is paid for with a grant from Parents Empowered, funded by money set aside from alcohol sales in Utah.
Presenters cited 2023 Wasatch County SHARPS survey data to explain the project’s target: parents of children ages 9–12. According to materials shown to the board, the students found that some sixth‑grade results indicate many parents do not communicate expectations about alcohol use frequently enough — a finding the team used to shape the campaign’s message urging parents to “be a parent first and a friend second.”
Board members asked how the students would measure effectiveness. The presenters said they have not yet conducted a formal evaluation but plan to compare future SHARPS survey results with current baselines after installations. They also described prior Parents Empowered installations in other locations (Armando’s Market, Wasatch State Park and a Heber Valley Railroad installation) and said those precedents will help their evaluation plan.
Members asked about outreach and community involvement; the students asked for help with social media promotion and contact lists for local photographers and community partners. Designers showed draft graphics and recommended two high‑visibility locations inside the aquatic center: the competition pool bleachers and the spectator seating for the recreation pool. They said the designs are preliminary and that the district will keep the installations for as long as the aquatic center wishes, with materials intended to be replaceable by future CAPS projects.
Presenters also said they plan a Spanish translation of materials to reach Heber Valley Spanish speakers and noted roughly 100 survey responses informed their creative choices. The team said final designs must be approved before printing and that they would send the board invitations and event details once those designs are complete.
The board did not take a formal vote during the study session. Members thanked the students and staff and expressed support for the campaign’s public‑health framing. The district will follow up on event logistics, final designs and evaluation plans.
