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Jillian Davis
Beverly Hills
Hero Story
Jillian contributes her commitment to the mission of Student Leadership Services by learning and sharing social, emotional, leadership, and self-management skills with her peers in empowering work. Her experience has built confidence that is guiding her to a career in youth mental health.
Dawn Flood, SLS Program Director, and Mentor shared her thoughts about Jillian in this letter:
Dear Review Committee,
Student Leadership Services, Inc. (SLS), a nationally recognized Michigan non-profit specializing in youth-led, school-based health and safety education, has been working with Jillian Davis, a senior at Marian High School, since 2013. Jillian became involved when she was in the fifth grade. She participated in the SLS Peer Resistance Skills Program, where she was taught by high school students how to say "no" to peer pressure. Jillian was one of the volunteer students who role-played how to be assertive and effectively use the "no" techniques that she learned. Since 2013, she has been in distinct roles as an intern, active volunteer, office co-op, leader, and role model to students in Michigan and Montana. Jillian is a strong leader with high initiative. When she has an idea, she goes for it.
Life Skills Intern April 2021-Present – Total students reached 28.
-Implemented Botvin Life Skills Training (LST) skills-based, sequential, proven effective curriculum program to first through third-grade elementary students during the Boys and Girls Club of Troy's summer program. LST is an evidenced-based, skills-focused, cognitive-behavioral program that changes what students think (perception of risk) and what they do (behaviors). Jillian became the “teacher” after participating as a student.
-Fostered emotional relationships with the students by creating a trusting and supportive environment while challenging them to think critically. As a result, students developed confidence in their social and academic abilities.
-Jillian demonstrated adaptability by adjusting to abrupt changes, such as: not being able to access the room on time, students coming in late, students losing their materials or needing new materials, and resolving conflicts. In addition, because of Jillian's own experience with being neurodivergent (ADD), she understood the students' "wiggles" and adapted the lesson to be more hands-on and actively engaging.
-She developed time management and organizational skills by keeping and maintaining accurate reports that included timesheets, sign-in sheets, surveys, and preparing each of the eight lessons with added activities to benefit all learning styles.
Because of Jillian’s outstanding performance in facilitating the LST program for 28 children ages 5-11 years, the Boys and Girls Club of Troy has formed a partnership with SLS. Jillian will teach LST in the winter and summer of 2022 for 28 students.
Before Jillian’s most recent internship with SLS, she has taken part and contributed to SLS for the past seven years (2013-2021) in the following ways:
Volunteer Co-op Experiences 2016-2020 – Total students reached 19,632.
-SLS Graphic Designer: Developed 41 student-related infographics on physical health and safety, relationship skills, and mental health topics. Infographics were distributed in newsletters, social media channels, training, website, and postcards. 2016-2020. (16,000 reached)
-Video creator and editor of SLS’ first national high school group in Circle, Montana: The fourteen-minute video featured highlights from a nine-day training with students, teachers, school administrators, sheriff, public health nurses, local newspaper, community coalition, and a local pastor. 2018. (1,600 reached)
-Conference photographer and videographer for the SLS 33rd Annual High School Conference (Living YOUR Best Life) three-day event: The six-minute video featured student-led workshops, speeches, presentations, exhibits, and captured student engagement. 2018. (2,000 reached)
-Jillian co-facilitated the middle school student workshops in the 7 session Strengthening Families Program by SLS for parents/children in Royal Oak Schools. (12 Families reached – 16 adults/16 students)
Volunteer Experiences 2015-2021 – Total students and adults reached 28,700.
-Prepared multiple mailings of newsletters, postcards, brochures, and other
educational materials to be mailed to 1,800 Michigan high schools, students, and other organizations. Mailing preparation included folding, labeling, stuffing, and stamping envelopes. 2015-2021. (21,600 reached)
-Developed articles for the SLS newsletter and conference brochure. 2017-2018. (3,600 reached)
-SLS Student Advisory Board Assembly Committee. Co-developer of statewide student multimedia 50-minute school assembly: “Attitude of the Mind…Solutions for Ending Stigma”. Assembly includes live and video presentations and student-led discussions. 2019. (500 direct/3,000 web views, including SLS Chapters and classrooms)
Educational Experiences 2013-2018
-Peer Resistances Skills Program: 50-minute lesson on how to assertively say “no” to peer pressure situations. 2013.
-Drug Educational Program: three-hour intensive program on health and social effects and consequences of drug use, including legal and relationship consequences. 2015.
-Botvin Lifeskills Training (LST): Thirteen lesson curricula designed to reduce alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse, and violence, while supporting the social and emotional development of students. Core lessons include assertiveness, refusal skills, anger management, coping with anxiety, communication skills, etc. 2017-2018.
-SLS 32nd Annual High School Conference (MI Roots): daylong event in Detroit with 200 students across Michigan. Jillian participated in student workshops on: How to Delete Cyberbullying, How to Overcome Stress and Procrastination, and How to Volunteer with the Elderly. 2017.
-Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan Youth Leadership Conference. Jillian identified peer education and created social media to impact current teen issues. 2018.
In addition, Jillian received the following recognition:
The Bloomfield Hills Optimist Club Certificate of Recognition in 2021. Jillian, one of three students recognized from local schools, who live by the Optimist Creed and are committed to making their schools and communities better places for all. In addition to the recognition from the Optimists, recipients receive a US Senate Recognition from Senator Gary Peters and Congressional Recognition from Congressman Andy Levin.
Elizabeth O'Donnell Baer '89 Memorial Scholarship – This scholarship was established in memory of Elizabeth O'Donnell Baer, Marian Class of 1989, who died in a bicycling accident following her freshman year of college. The recipient must apply herself to her academic and athletic pursuits with a strong sense of tenacity and demonstrated hard work. In addition, she must demonstrate the unique ability to make people of all ages feel good about themselves through her sincere, cheerful interest in and concern for them.
The Ike Onwuzurike Guardian Angel Scholarship Award – Honors the memory and life of Ike Onwuzurike, Brother Rice Class of 2014, who was called to heaven shortly after graduation. The award recognizes a commitment to academic excellence, mentoring, Christian faith, and service to others that honors the life of Ike. In addition, the recipient embodies the following: selflessness, a love of others, a desire to serve, a strong work ethic, an affirming and upbeat attitude, and a passion for learning.
St. Michael's College Book Award for Academic Achievement with a Social Conscience- Recognizing outstanding students who demonstrate a strong commitment to academic success, social justice, volunteerism, and leadership in their communities.
Jillian was President of the Political Discussion Club at Marian High School for two years, where students addressed current social issues respectfully.
Finally, Student Leadership Services and our leaders like Jillian advocate safe and healthy choices and student leadership. Jillian deserves recognition and an opportunity to further her education and leadership goals. She is a persistent young woman with integrity and courage.
It has been an honor and privilege to have worked and mentored Jillian. Jillian personifies a resilient, young leader, with a strong heart to help and guide others while having fun. Jillian's behavior is consistent with her values. Her passion, initiative, and go get them attitude is inspiring.
Jillian Davis
Beverly Hills
Hero Story
Jillian contributes her commitment to the mission of Student Leadership Services by learning and sharing social, emotional, leadership, and self-management skills with her peers in empowering work. Her experience has built confidence that is guiding her to a career in youth mental health.
Dawn Flood, SLS Program Director, and Mentor shared her thoughts about Jillian in this letter:
Dear Review Committee,
Student Leadership Services, Inc. (SLS), a nationally recognized Michigan non-profit specializing in youth-led, school-based health and safety education, has been working with Jillian Davis, a senior at Marian High School, since 2013. Jillian became involved when she was in the fifth grade. She participated in the SLS Peer Resistance Skills Program, where she was taught by high school students how to say "no" to peer pressure. Jillian was one of the volunteer students who role-played how to be assertive and effectively use the "no" techniques that she learned. Since 2013, she has been in distinct roles as an intern, active volunteer, office co-op, leader, and role model to students in Michigan and Montana. Jillian is a strong leader with high initiative. When she has an idea, she goes for it.
Life Skills Intern April 2021-Present – Total students reached 28.
-Implemented Botvin Life Skills Training (LST) skills-based, sequential, proven effective curriculum program to first through third-grade elementary students during the Boys and Girls Club of Troy's summer program. LST is an evidenced-based, skills-focused, cognitive-behavioral program that changes what students think (perception of risk) and what they do (behaviors). Jillian became the “teacher” after participating as a student.
-Fostered emotional relationships with the students by creating a trusting and supportive environment while challenging them to think critically. As a result, students developed confidence in their social and academic abilities.
-Jillian demonstrated adaptability by adjusting to abrupt changes, such as: not being able to access the room on time, students coming in late, students losing their materials or needing new materials, and resolving conflicts. In addition, because of Jillian's own experience with being neurodivergent (ADD), she understood the students' "wiggles" and adapted the lesson to be more hands-on and actively engaging.
-She developed time management and organizational skills by keeping and maintaining accurate reports that included timesheets, sign-in sheets, surveys, and preparing each of the eight lessons with added activities to benefit all learning styles.
Because of Jillian’s outstanding performance in facilitating the LST program for 28 children ages 5-11 years, the Boys and Girls Club of Troy has formed a partnership with SLS. Jillian will teach LST in the winter and summer of 2022 for 28 students.
Before Jillian’s most recent internship with SLS, she has taken part and contributed to SLS for the past seven years (2013-2021) in the following ways:
Volunteer Co-op Experiences 2016-2020 – Total students reached 19,632.
-SLS Graphic Designer: Developed 41 student-related infographics on physical health and safety, relationship skills, and mental health topics. Infographics were distributed in newsletters, social media channels, training, website, and postcards. 2016-2020. (16,000 reached)
-Video creator and editor of SLS’ first national high school group in Circle, Montana: The fourteen-minute video featured highlights from a nine-day training with students, teachers, school administrators, sheriff, public health nurses, local newspaper, community coalition, and a local pastor. 2018. (1,600 reached)
-Conference photographer and videographer for the SLS 33rd Annual High School Conference (Living YOUR Best Life) three-day event: The six-minute video featured student-led workshops, speeches, presentations, exhibits, and captured student engagement. 2018. (2,000 reached)
-Jillian co-facilitated the middle school student workshops in the 7 session Strengthening Families Program by SLS for parents/children in Royal Oak Schools. (12 Families reached – 16 adults/16 students)
Volunteer Experiences 2015-2021 – Total students and adults reached 28,700.
-Prepared multiple mailings of newsletters, postcards, brochures, and other
educational materials to be mailed to 1,800 Michigan high schools, students, and other organizations. Mailing preparation included folding, labeling, stuffing, and stamping envelopes. 2015-2021. (21,600 reached)
-Developed articles for the SLS newsletter and conference brochure. 2017-2018. (3,600 reached)
-SLS Student Advisory Board Assembly Committee. Co-developer of statewide student multimedia 50-minute school assembly: “Attitude of the Mind…Solutions for Ending Stigma”. Assembly includes live and video presentations and student-led discussions. 2019. (500 direct/3,000 web views, including SLS Chapters and classrooms)
Educational Experiences 2013-2018
-Peer Resistances Skills Program: 50-minute lesson on how to assertively say “no” to peer pressure situations. 2013.
-Drug Educational Program: three-hour intensive program on health and social effects and consequences of drug use, including legal and relationship consequences. 2015.
-Botvin Lifeskills Training (LST): Thirteen lesson curricula designed to reduce alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse, and violence, while supporting the social and emotional development of students. Core lessons include assertiveness, refusal skills, anger management, coping with anxiety, communication skills, etc. 2017-2018.
-SLS 32nd Annual High School Conference (MI Roots): daylong event in Detroit with 200 students across Michigan. Jillian participated in student workshops on: How to Delete Cyberbullying, How to Overcome Stress and Procrastination, and How to Volunteer with the Elderly. 2017.
-Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan Youth Leadership Conference. Jillian identified peer education and created social media to impact current teen issues. 2018.
In addition, Jillian received the following recognition:
The Bloomfield Hills Optimist Club Certificate of Recognition in 2021. Jillian, one of three students recognized from local schools, who live by the Optimist Creed and are committed to making their schools and communities better places for all. In addition to the recognition from the Optimists, recipients receive a US Senate Recognition from Senator Gary Peters and Congressional Recognition from Congressman Andy Levin.
Elizabeth O'Donnell Baer '89 Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship was established in memory of Elizabeth O'Donnell Baer, Marian Class of 1989, who died in a bicycling accident following her freshman year of college. The recipient must apply herself to her academic and athletic pursuits with a strong sense of tenacity and demonstrated hard work. In addition, she must demonstrate the unique ability to make people of all ages feel good about themselves through her sincere, cheerful interest in and concern for them.
The Ike Onwuzurike Guardian Angel Scholarship Award - Honors the memory and life of Ike Onwuzurike, Brother Rice Class of 2014, who was called to heaven shortly after graduation. The award recognizes a commitment to academic excellence, mentoring, Christian faith, and service to others that honors the life of Ike. In addition, the recipient embodies the following: selflessness, a love of others, a desire to serve, a strong work ethic, an affirming and upbeat attitude, and a passion for learning.
St. Michael's College Book Award for Academic Achievement with a Social Conscience- Recognizing outstanding students who demonstrate a strong commitment to academic success, social justice, volunteerism, and leadership in their communities.
Jillian was President of the Political Discussion Club at Marian High School for two years, where students addressed current social issues respectfully.
Finally, Student Leadership Services and our leaders like Jillian advocate safe and healthy choices and student leadership. Jillian deserves recognition and an opportunity to further her education and leadership goals. She is a persistent young woman with integrity and courage.
It has been an honor and privilege to have worked and mentored Jillian. Jillian personifies a resilient, young leader, with a strong heart to help and guide others while having fun. Jillian's behavior is consistent with her values. Her passion, initiative, and go get them attitude is inspiring.