Newsletter MADD Teen Influencer May 2026: Mental Health Month
Lessons Learned
New Episode!
Reflections
Mahi, a MADD Teen Influencer from Texas, shares reflections from her time with us and hopes for the future.
Ben is finiishing up his first year at Tufts University! He shares 10 things he learned from his first semester.
Check out the latest episode of Healthy Teen Talks, a podcast by teens for teens.
1
Reflections of a Teen Influencer
by Mahi Korpe, MADD Teen Influencer
After two years of being a MADD Teen Influencer, I have learned a lot about the importance of ending drunk and drugged driving in Texas and preventing underage drinking/substance use. Before I discovered MADD, I struggled with accepting the fact that drunk driving rates in America would stay the same or even increase. However, after attending in- person events and making social media posts curated to the organization’s cause, I feel proud that I can make an impact, no matter how big or small.
As I graduate high school and plan to attend Rice University in the fall, I hope that I can continue to spread MADD’s message by starting a club and encouraging people to raise awareness about drunk driving. My ultimate aspiration is to become a Physiatrist, which is a doctor that aids in treating the skeletal and nervous system. After seeing my father obtain a spinal cord injury after getting hit by a drunk driver, I want to help people just like him to ensure that their stories flourish beyond their physical capabilities. To whoever reads this, I hope that you can continue MADD’s influence beyond the teen program to make even more of an impact.
MADD Teen Influencer
May 2026
Semester at Tufts University 2
10 Things I Learned From My First
by Ben Haworth, MADD Teen Influencer
*Everyone is adjusting, even the people who seem confident. Freshman year looks put-together from the outside, but most people are still finding their way. *Time management is really about priorities. Learning when to say no matters more than any schedule.
*Professors really do want you to succeed. Office hours were intimidating at first, but they became one of the most helpful parts of the semester. *Friendships take time. The strongest connections grew from consistency, not instant chemistry. *Being homesick doesn’t mean you’re unhappy. Missing home and enjoying college often happened at the same time. *It’s okay to change your mind. About classes, interests, and even future plans—flexibility is part of the process. *Balance is essential, not optional. Academics, social life, and rest all matter, and none can fully replace the others. *Asking for help is part of independence. Reaching out made college feel less overwhelming and more manageable.
MADD Teen Influencer
May 2026
*Comparison is everywhere, but rarely helpful. Everyone is on a different timeline, even if it doesn’t look that way. *I’m more resilient than I realized. Getting through the first semester and being over 3000 miles from home showed me I can handle uncertainty and growth.
Virtual Summer Opportunity: MADD Teen Influencer Institute
The MADD Teen Influencer Institute is an in-depth virtual program with the goal to train peer-to-peer educators. Those who join will gain skills to help with prevention and traffic safety education, plus represent MADD on a local and national level. As certified MADD Teen Influencers, they will provide the youth voice for our programs and activities.
July 20 th MADD 101 July 21 st Public Speaking July 22 nd
Substance Use, Mental Health & Traffic Safety July 23 rd Social Media July 27 th Final Presentations ALL SESSIONS 3-5PM ON TEAMS
JOIN THE MOVEMENT. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
MADD Teen Influencer
May 2026
Extracurriculars 3
Healthy Teen Talks, Episode 12:
by Alexandria Cartagena & Sofia Combel
Some of our graduating seniors are juggling a lot - between school and extracurriculars, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Check out the latest episode of the Healthy Teens Talk podcast to hear how they’re handling it all, and why extracurriculars can have a positive impact.
Check us out on YouTube and be sure to like, share, and subscribe to our Healthy Teen Talks podcast!
MADD's mission is to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking. The purpose of the Teen Influencer Group is to provide leadership development for teens by training them to be peer-to-peer educators. These teens provide MADD with the youth perspective and use their voice to educate the public. By reducing and then eliminating underage drinking, these teens will help MADD end drunk driving.
@MADDCalifornia
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online