Ellis students aim to help peers leave, prevent abusive relationships

EHS students listen as students from the Community Connection's class present "Red Flag" program Wednesday. — EHS students listen as students from the Community Connection’s class present “Red Flag” program .

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

ELLIS — Students at Ellis High School are more aware about preventing abusive relationships, thanks to a training last week on how to spot “red flags.”

The program, sponsored by Hays-based Jana’s Campaign, started with a presentation from organization co-founder Christie Brungardt. The students from the Career Community Connections class then took over with activities to help students recognize an abusive relationship and seek help.

EHS students learning the "red flags" that can lead to an abusive relationship Wednesday. — EHS students learning the “red flags” that can lead to an abusive relationship.

Community Connections student and EHS senior Autumn Hellerud said it was the CCC class that asked school administrators to bring the program to their school.

“We thought it would be important,” she said. “(It) is something that happens here and we know a lot of people in our school that are struggling through it, so we thought it would be a good idea and maybe help out our fellow students.”

Fellow EHS students sophomore Kaylee King and freshman Dawson Sproul agreed.

“(Abusive relationships) happen a lot in our world,” King said. “It’s important teens … are aware.”

“It’s a serious issue … harming people everywhere … nationally and internationally,” Dawson added.

Brungardt said the Red Flag program is funded through a grant from Jana’s Campaign.

She said it is students who typically request the presentation and Red Flag training in high schools across the state.

For more information, visit janascampaign.org