Rob:  For most high school students, prom night is the big event of the year.  But for a group of teenagers in Duncan, the prom is just one of the things to do on a Saturday night.  Our Hannah Wright takes a look.
Hannah:  It’s prom night at Duncan High School, formal gowns on the red carpet.  While the night is special for Caylin Lynch, it’s an event across town that she’s the most proud of. 
Caylin Lynch:  Our goal is to decrease the drug rate in the community.  You can see with the kids that have started coming, you can tell their attitudes are kind of starting to change.  We’re seeing a slow difference, and I think eventually it’s going to make an impact.
Hannah:  And gives the young people in this small town, something to do on Saturday nights.  Caylin Lynch is one of the teen leaders of Duncan’s Youth Coalition. 
Lynch:  It’s really great to know that you can make difference in someone’s life.  It kind of makes you feel good about yourself, but it also makes you feel like, hey, I can make a difference, even if I’m just one little person.
Hannah:  Started as part of a larger vision for the town, Duncan’s Youth Coalition gives young people a place to play games, watch movies, or just hang out. 
Kids:  You get to hang with your friends, play games, B-ball.
Hannah:  And it gives parents, like Joy Billingsley, peace of mind.
Joy Billingsley:  I just feel like our community needs something for our kids, for our youth, in today’s society to have a place to come and just enjoy their selves. Have fun.  A safe place for them to just hang out.
I hope that you guys have learned quite a bit in your leadership role this year.
Hannah:  Something city leader, Don Gooch, knows all too well.  Gooch’s own brother lost his long struggle with drugs.  So, the battle to keep kids off the streets, and on the right path, is a personal one.  
Don Gooch:  Every life is precious.  A life filled with drugs can really be a dead end road. Unfortunately, my brother, who I think was one of the greatest guys, ever, in the world, met that dead end road.  And I’m just so excited to be a part of a group that can help some others make some decisions that will keep them away from that path.
Hannah:  While adults, like Gooch, help with the monthly events, all of the planning and direction is provided by teen leaders. 
Courtney Branch:  Everybody kind of wanted to just have a place to go and hang out where you wouldn’t have to worry about outside influences.
Hannah:  The program not only provides a path to better direction, but also rewards the leaders for their efforts.  Jordan Billingsley helped start the coalition. 
Billingsley:  It’s helped me tremendously.  I’ve gotten scholarships.  I’ve gotten awards.  I am about to receive a $500 cash award for the hours I put into this.  And it’s just really been good for me.
Hannah:  All four youth coalition leaders were recognized for helping their peers stay off the streets, and out of trouble.  
Clif Cummings:  I think it’s making a difference in our community, because it’s our teenagers taking the lead and providing opportunities for their peers to choose character and not drugs.  We provide a place for them to do that, and it’s really a teen sponsored, teen led, opportunity for our teenagers to make a difference in our community.
Hannah:  And that difference will only grow, with time.