Dec. 5, 2025
By Serenity Mendoza
Staff Writer
This school year, LHS has welcomed 20 juniors into PowerBack, a New Jersey-based program with six high school partners that educates students about teen dating abuse. The outreach program, which operates through the nonprofit A Partnership for Change, is meant to support teen victims, raise awareness and empower teens to end dating abuse.
Throughout the fall, PowerBack program manager Laura Varelas Arroyo worked with LHS’ teen advocates, leading meetings in the media center during the school day.
“Students in the program go through an intensive training where they have in-depth conversations about dating abuse, how to help friends and classmates in abusive relationships and plan for an awareness event for Teen Dating Abuse Awareness Month in February,” Varelas Arroyo said.
She said teens must be able to identify types of abuse, such as emotional, financial, physical, sexual, technological and verbal. Varelas Arroyo said it is equally necessary to recognize indicators of abuse.
“I want to be a person that students can talk to if they are ever in a dangerous relationship.”
“Some signs that someone may be in an abusive relationship are that they aren’t acting like they normally would before they got into a relationship. For example, they aren’t dressing how they used to or involved in the same school activities,” Varelas Arroyo said. “Other signs include someone walking on eggshells around their partner or their partner being very jealous and possessive.”
Junior Anthony Andrews, one of LHS’ teen advocates, said he leaves every PowerBack meeting with an important takeaway.
“It teaches practical skills for staying safe and recognizing unhealthy behaviors. We also look into different pieces of media, like documentaries and videos that exemplify toxic behaviors,” Andrews said.
He said during their meetings, the group has been watching the three-part Netflix documentary “American Murder: Gabby Petito,” which focuses on 22-year-old vlogger Gabby Petito, who was murdered by her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, during a cross-country road trip in summer 2021.
Andrews said the film has helped students identify and address toxic interactions.
“I’ve learned how to spot early warning signs of abusive or controlling behavior. I’ve also learned how important it is to listen to people without being judgmental of their situation. Being in the group has shown me how many people are affected by domestic violence,” Andrews said.
Junior Cathia Nogueira, who is also a teen advocate, said abuse can happen anywhere, so she intends to learn more about community and leadership so she can turn ideas into action.
“I want to be a person that students can talk to if they are ever in a dangerous relationship. I want to be an advocate that students can confide in and seek help from,” Nogueira said.
She said she hopes to communicate and collaborate with students from other schools and local leaders so that all voices and stories are heard.
“Whether students know it or not, many people at LHS are in, or have been in, an abusive relationship,” Nogueira said. “This program not only spreads awareness on the issue, but gives those who are in those relationships people to talk to.”
Nogueira, who joined Varelas Arroyo on Oct. 29 to share resources with a freshman health class, said she is proud to represent PowerBack.
“All of the teen advocates have a passion and a purpose for joining. This program can bring real change to LHS and beyond,” said Nogueira.
