Meet the 2010-2011 YAB

Dillon Laird
School: Rigby High School
Grade: Junior
Dillon Laird, a junior at Rigby High School, represents Region 6 on this year’s Youth Advisory Board. Dillon enjoys wakeboarding, snowboarding, and being a member of his IDFY group’s Chapter Leadership Team. Dillon said that being a member of Idaho Drug Free Youth has been a life changing experience, making him the person he is today because he has learned how to understand other people better.

At Rigby High School, IDFY members, including Dillon, are actively involved in performing skits and doing drug and alcohol prevention campaigns such as the “don’t be a dummy campaign”. Dillon is most impressed that the members in his IDFY chapter are really good at reaching out to others and helping those who are in need.

Dillon’s friendly personality allows his to get along with everyone. He is open to meeting new people, always willing to give them a chance.

John Freeman
School: Lake City High School
Grade: Senior
John Freeman, a senior at Coeur d’Alene High School, has been involved with Idaho Drug Free Youth and the Idaho Youth Summit

IDFY has shaped the person John is by showing him that he can be a leader among his peers, be outgoing, and prove to people that he can stick by what he believes in. He is a firm believer in individuality, letting people be who they are, and supporting others.

John is an active member of Idaho Drug Free Youth and has been a big advocate for helping his chapter grow this year. 

Rio Harris
School: Troy High School
Grade: Senior
Rio Harris, a senior, is serving on the Youth Advisory Board as a representative from Region 2 in Troy, ID. Her town, with its population of 798, is so small that most people don’t realize that they have passed through it.

According to Rio, IDFY has opened up her eyes to the true beauty of people. In regards to how IDFY has impacted her, Rio said, “Everyone who I meet through IDFY is so amazingly real. No one in IDFY is hiding behind substances to keep them safe or using them as a crutch to get through life. They all stand on their own two feet and they all have a different reason for being drug free; whether it’s their religion, their family background, or even personal addiction. And the best thing about these people is that they wouldn’t ever dream of judging you and it makes it that much easier to open up to them and make connections.”

Samira Obeid
School: Coeur d’Alene High School
Grade: Junior
Samira Obeid, a junior, is serving on the Youth Advisory Board as a representative from Region 1. Samira lives in Coeur d’Alene, which she believes is famous for fantastic schools, great skiing in the winter, beautiful weather and lakes, and the IDFY Headquarters.

Samira says that IDFY has given her confidence and ambition. She feels secure knowing that she will always have Idaho Drug Free Youth as a support system. Because of IDFY she wants to be a role model for all youth and teens, even when she is an adult. Samira is a firm believer in being able to accomplish anything she puts her mind to. She believes in the power of patience, hard work, and having a positive attitude.

Besides IDFY, Samira enjoys golfing on her high school’s golf team, studying culinary arts, business, and public speaking.

Samantha Walker
School: Xavier Charter School
Grade: Sophomore
Samantha Walker, a sophomore at Xavier Charter, is representing Region 4 on this year’s Youth Advisory Board. In the town she lives in, Samantha jokes that it is not unheard of to take your tractor to your high school graduation, however, she does truly admires the beauty of the Snake River Canyon and Shoshone Falls.

IDFY has given Samantha a direction and an avenue to reach other teens around her. It has also provided her with something to stand for as well as the tools to help those around her who are struggling with drug or alcohol use or feeling the pressure to try them.

Samantha is an active participant in her youth group at Amazing Grace Fellowship and loves every minute of it, always surrounded by great mentors. Besides being on the board, Samantha spends her free time doing service for others, playing sports and the piano, and surrounding herself with friends.

Shaylee Hatch
School: Skyview High School
Grade: Senior
Shaylee Hatch, a senior at Skyview High School, is serving on the Youth Advisory Board as a representative from Region 3. Where she lives, Shaylee is proud of the fact that people are extremely friendly, a quality that is sometimes hard to find.

Shaylee has been a member of IDFY for three years. Being a member of the program has helped her realize that she can stand up for what I believe despite if it’s “cool” or not! It has allowed her to be a part of something that affects so many others in a positive way.

Shaylee is a firm believer in making your dreams come true! She believes that you can accomplish anything at all as long as you work hard, try your best, and don’t give up. She is passionate about helping people, and her goal is to one day create a worldwide non-profit foundation to help abused children. Besides IDFY, Shaylee’s interests include cosmetology, social work, choir, and sports.

Questions? E-mail us at idfy@idahodrugfreeyouth.org.