A total of 107 students from KIPP Sol Academy in Los Angeles participated in a Health and Wellness Day hosted by the DEA Educational Foundation (DEAEF) in partnership with DEA Los Angeles’s Operation Engage Year 5. 

Held on June 1, 2026, the event brought together students in grades 5-8 for an engaging, hands-on experience focused on prevention education, physical activity, creativity, and personal growth. The program was the result of planning and collaboration led by DEAEF Director of Special Events Amy Danos and built upon successful health and wellness events previously held in the Seattle area. The program allowed DEAEF and its partners to engage Los Angeles students through multiple educational and activity-based experiences over the course of the day. Designed to reinforce healthy decision-making while introducing students to healthy ways to express themselves, the event encouraged participants to explore sports, dance, art, and other activities that support lifelong health and wellness.

The day began with a welcome from Ruth Morales, Community Outreach Specialist with the DEA Los Angeles Field Division. Morales delivered a presentation titled Drug Prevention, Positive Outlets, and Future Dreams, encouraging students to make healthy decisions that protect their growing brains and bodies. During her presentation, Morales discussed the importance of taking medications only from trusted parents, doctors, or responsible adults. She also encouraged students to avoid accepting food, drinks, candy, medications, or unknown items from strangers or other students. Most importantly, she emphasized the value of sports, art, music, hobbies, and other positive activities that support overall wellness and future success. Following the presentation, students rotated through three interactive activity stations designed to reinforce those messages in fun and engaging ways.

At the baseball station, students worked with Rick Zeitlin, National Director for the DEA Educational Foundation Youth Baseball Program. Through baseball drills and skill-building activities, students learned the importance of teamwork, communication, perseverance, and physical fitness. Students also participated in a high-energy hip-hop dance session led by Ian Aguenza of Culture Shock. A longtime DEAEF community outreach partner, Aguenza introduced students to dance techniques while encouraging self-expression, creativity, and confidence through movement. The third activity station introduced a new DEAEF partner, Art Box Academy. Art instructors YaVanna Cole and Christina Laybon led students through an architecture-themed art workshop that encouraged creativity while introducing them to the field of architecture as a potential career path. As students designed and illustrated buildings that reflected their own interests and ideas, the instructors reinforced healthy, drug-free lifestyle messaging while encouraging each student's creativity, imagination, and confidence.

After completing all three rotations, students gathered for a snack break featuring PopCorners, vegan and nut-free granola bars, fruit snacks, and Gatorade before concluding the day with a Red Ribbon celebration and pledge.

As part of the celebration, students committed to making healthy choices and received DEA Operation Engage T-shirts, DEAEF stickers, and certificates of participation to recognize their involvement. Jill Roberts, President and CEO of the DEA Educational Foundation, spent part of the day engaging with students as they rotated through the activities, encouraging participants, celebrating their creativity and teamwork, and capturing photos of the memorable moments. The Health and Wellness Day reflects the continued partnership between the DEA Educational Foundation, DEA Operation Engage Year 5, and the DEA Los Angeles Field Division to provide prevention education and positive youth development opportunities throughout the community.

By combining education, sports, dance, art, and mentorship, the program helped students discover healthy ways to express themselves, build confidence, and make choices that support a bright future. Through events like this, DEAEF and its partners continue to demonstrate that prevention is about more than saying "no" to drugs. It's about helping young people discover positive opportunities, develop healthy habits, and imagine the possibilities for their futures.