West metro school briefs

Eden Prairie pom squad wins at national event The Eden Prairie pom squad earned the title of 2010 High School Grand Champions and placed first in both Varsity Jazz and Senior Pom at the UPA National Competition held Feb. 19-21 in Minneapolis. Earlier in February, the squad also was named National Champions in the Jazz category and earned second place in Pom at the UDA Competition in Florida.

Human trafficking play at Edina High A student's play about human trafficking in the United States will be performed at 6 p.m. Thursday at Edina High School's Performing Arts Center, 6754 Valley View Road in Edina.

Tickets to "Vanished," written and directed by Edina High senior Hailey Lee, cost $5 and may be purchased at the door.

All proceeds will go to Breaking Free, a safe house that supports human trafficking victims in the Twin Cities.

Children First annual meeting New research from the Search Institute will be the focus of the annual Children First meeting, open to young people and adults interested in fostering healthy youth.

The meeting will feature a panel discussion on the new research that discusses the importance of young people knowing and using skills and interests that they are passionate about. At the meeting, a video will be premiered featuring teens from St. Louis Park High School, describing their special interests and examining how best to develop those interests. Those attending the event also may participate in roundtable discussions.

The Search Institute is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to developing strong and healthy youth. It is most famous for its work identifying 40 developmental assets, which are experiences and qualities young people need to grow up healthy, caring and responsible.

The Children First meeting is free and open to the public, but a reservation is required. To make a reservation, call 952-928-6075 or send an e-mail to info@children-first.org. For more information go to www. children-first.org.

Drug and Safety forums Bloomington Public Schools will host two upcoming parent education events, focusing on cyber safety and student use of alcohol and drugs.

The first forum, presented by chemical health counselor Terri McCarthy, will take place from 6:30-8 p.m. on Thursday at Jefferson High School, 4001 W. 102nd St. McCarthy will share information on students' use of alcohol and drugs and discuss what parents can do to respond to the issue.

Cyber safety expert Dave Eisenmann will lead the second parent education event from 6:30-8 p.m. on March 23 at Oak Grove Middle School, 1300 W. 106th St. He will discuss how kids are using cell phones, Facebook, text messaging and webcams today and will explain why monitoring their cyberspace travels is key to their safety.

Both programs are free and sponsored by the Bloomington Public Schools Safe and Drug-Free Schools program.