Passion Drives Unified Raiders

The 2018 Walk Out of Darkness suicide awareness and prevention event earned Liz Borgmann recognition for organizing the event. However, she quickly admits it wouldn’t have had the flare it did without the help of Sidney High School students.

Students in the Unified Raiders program were a vital part in the program, helping with registrations, handing out bracelets and whatever else needed to be done.

The question some people might ask is why are teens involved in a program about suicide. The answer is simple, and maybe a little concerning.

Shelby Price, organizer of Unified Raiders, says she partners with Borgmann on projects. Additionally, she sees teens as not much different from adults, and a strong example of others. She said kids have an interest and a passion for things that affect them, things they’re suffering with. Events like Walk Out of Darkness is an opportunity for students to show those suffering how to give back in a positive manner.

A few of the students involved in the 2018 event shared their experiences recently.

“I got involved in it through Shelby (Price),” said Keeley Lauderdale. “The Walk Out of Darkness inspired me to help people see what is going on around them.”

Cassie Grabowski said she joined the Unified Raiders through her friends. She got involved in Walk Out of Darkness because of past experiences with friends, specifically suicide. She describes Walk Out of Darkness as a dose of self-therapy and healing. Since then, she has taken online courses on regarding suicide and recognizing stressors. She considering a career in therapy.

Tiara Ginther said she she heard about the event through Borgmann and Price. She was further motivated by friends.

“My friends told me about past experiences. I think it (Walk Out of Darkness) helped a lot,” she said.

Don Cushing also said he heard about Walk Out of Darkness through Price.

Grabowski said they were drawn to the event because of the importance of the topic. She said the number of suicide cases has doubled in the last several years.

The Unified Raiders program lets kids see what others are experiencing. It gives them an opportunity to be more appreciative of others and what they are going through. Unified Raiders also also has a program called “Don’t Spill the Tea” that addresses gossiping, and gets involved in city cleanup projects.