ETP Daily News for Friday, January 9th - Dave Kirkpatrick with today's local and state news. 

ETP Daily Sports for Thursday, January 8th - Blake Hickerson with today's sports. 

ETP Daily News for Thursday, January 8th - Dave Kirkpatrick with today's local and state news. 

Paris Junior High’s campus is buzzing—but this time, it’s not from energy drinks. Five eighth-grade students have launched a new community-based Future Problem Solving project aimed at educating young athletes about the growing risks associated with energy drink consumption.

The group, made up of Amelia Elliott, Anna Echols, Clara Schmidt, Kennedy Moore, and Emma Donnan, calls itself Hype Hazard. All five girls are athletes, and their own experiences on the field and in the locker room sparked their concern.

“We just wanted to make a difference,” said Amelia Elliott. “We started noticing how many kids were showing up to practice with an energy drink in their hand.”

Concerned by the trend, the girls approached their former reading teacher and FPS coach, Eva Dickey, who agreed to sponsor their project. Together, they began researching the effects of energy drinks on adolescent athletes, uncovering alarming information about excessive caffeine, teen-targeted marketing, and long-term health impacts.

“These girls truly are the change they want to see,” said Dickey. “Instead of complaining about a problem, they stood up, made a plan, and took action. Their leadership is already making a difference on our campus.”

From there, the students moved quickly into action. This semester, Hype Hazard set up information booths at community events such as Christmas in Fair Park and a local pickleball tournament, where they handed out branded water bottles and informational fliers filled with facts, infographics, and warnings about potential dangers of energy drinks.

To strengthen their message, the group also invited pediatricians—including Dr. Aubrey Gibbs—to speak to athletic classes on campus.

“These girls are serving as true leaders,” said Dr. Gibbs. “When youth hear guidance and recommendations from their peers, they hold each other accountable and make healthier choices. We see the effects of excessive caffeine and sugar in the clinic regularly.”

ETP Daily Sports for Wednesday, January 7th - Blake Hickerson with today's sports. 

ETP Daily News for Wednesday, January 7th - Dave Kirkpatrick with today's local and state news. 

ETP Daily Sports for Tuesday, January 6th - Blake Hickerson with today's sports. 

ETP Daily News for Tuesday, January 6th- Dave Kirkpatrick with today's local and state news. 

ETP Daily Sports for Monday, January 5th - Blake Hickerson with today's sports. 

ETP Daily News for Monday, January 5th- Dave Kirkpatrick with today's local and state news.