STEPS Youth Council to Peers: Sports Betting is a Losing Game
- SOUTHINGTON STEPS
- Mar 24
- 2 min read
Eleven members of the STEPS Youth Council made their on-screen debut recently in a short video highlighting the risks of sports betting. Click below to watch:
Since October, the group of Southington High School students has been conceptualizing, writing, and filming the two-minute PSA as part of the Youth Gambling Awareness Project (YGAP). This program is an annual collaboration between the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC), DMHAS Problem Gambling Services, and the CT Council on Problem Gambling.
The Youth Gambling Awareness Project funds youth groups across the state to promote problem gambling awareness and resources available for help. In 2023, the Connecticut School Health Survey found that nearly one in four high school students in our state reported gambling on sports, cards, dice, lottery games, or online. As part of the application process, participating groups selected a focus area, and the STEPS Youth Council chose to concentrate on sports betting based on their observations that it is increasingly common among teens in Southington.
YGAP funding allowed STEPS to partner with a professional video production team. Sebastian Pepe collaborated with Youth Council members to develop their script and filmed the PSA this weekend with assistance from Jeremy Chin and Erika Korbusieski. Jenna Hebert, a senior at SHS, portrayed Macy, a teen whose growing involvement in sports betting begins to impact her performance at school and her relationships with friends and family. Other STEPS Youth Council members - Amelia Rizza, Caroline Decorte, Devon Jasulavic, Drew Niro, Gigi Truss, Hayley Friar, Jackie Liebler, Katie Cavanaugh, Maddy Landry, and Raquel Gontijo - took on supporting roles. The final scene of the video shows Macy speaking to a trusted adult after her parents intervene.
“I think our story does a great job of showing the possible consequences of gambling, and the feeling of getting help,” said Jenna.
The students chose the tagline “sports betting is a losing game” for their PSA as a nod to all of the losses that the main character experiences. When complete, the video will be shared with high school staff, students, and their parents. STEPS Youth Council members will also hand out giveaways and resources during lunches in March to recognize Problem Gambling Awareness Month. On March 25, a showcase of all 17 videos from youth groups involved in YGAP will be aired virtually.
About STEPS: Southington’s Town-wide Effort to Promote Success (STEPS) is a community partnership dedicated to preventing youth substance use and promoting healthy choices through education, action, and advocacy. STEPS brings together 13 community sectors — from youth and parents to law enforcement and local businesses — to build safer, healthier environments where young people can thrive. Join us in “growing great kids!”. Learn more at southingtonSTEPS.org.
