Unlike the many teenagers who spent the last few months watching television or using computers, Gabrielle Bricker could be found working away in her kitchen, putting all her energy into helping others.

Bricker, 15, of Ruffsdale, a Yough High School sophomore, is carrying through a project she started when she looked at the troubles some face in society and decided she wanted to do something to help.

“My idea for this project came about towards the end of my freshman year in high school when I was only 14,” she said. “At that time in high school, I recognized the major issue with drugs amongst teenagers and being that I choose to live my life drug-free, I wanted to take a stand some way and get the message out to teenagers that it’s totally alright to not be a part of the drug crowd.

“By doing so, I wanted to help those teens who were struggling with substance abuse and spread awareness so that we could reduce the number of teenagers who would take the wrong path.”

Bricker designed and created handmade T-shirts of bright colors, all bearing her slogan “I Stand Out.”

“In a world where teenagers feel the pressures every day to fit in and be like the rest, I felt obligated to just spread the awareness that everyone can stand out in some way and be apart from the crowd that chooses drugs,” Bricker said, “I thought that tie dye would be appropriate because it’s colorful and draws attention — which is what I wanted for my shirts.

“The saying ‘I Stand Out’ that is printed on them means exactly what it says.”

Bricker made her first batch of 72 T-shirts and took them to school to sell. They sold out in just three days. Bricker made another batch of 90 and sold them just as fast.

Soon, the brightly colored T-shirts were everywhere throughout the school.

“Most of the buyers of the shirts are teenagers, like I intended, but a lot of adults supported the cause, too,” Bricker said.

After Bricker began the project, she started to research facilities that helped with drug addiction, planning to donate her proceeds.

“Selecting an organization to donate to was a challenge,” Bricker said. “From the start, I knew I wanted to donate to existing teen rehabs, but to my surprise, during my research, there weren’t many teen rehab facilities in my area, let alone my state — except for one that really stood out to me: The New Hope Academy — sponsored by Teen Challenge — of northeast Pennsylvania. After reading their mission statement and more about their successful program they have had with helping substance abusing teenaged boys, I knew they were the perfect candidate for the proceeds.”

Bricker stresses she is not targeting teenagers who have problems with drugs.

“I had no intentions whatsoever to single out the teens who had addictions. I just wanted to help them,” she said.

Bricker has raised and donated $1,560 to the New Hope Academy, which plans to use the proceeds for projects within the 16-bed facility north of Scranton.

“We felt thrilled that she chose us,” Executive Director Edward Crawford said. “We think that it is great that she is doing this. It’s amazing for someone of her age to want to help others her age, and that sets her apart. It’s a very admirable quality to be found in one so young.”

Bricker intends to continue to spread her words of acceptance and hope.

“I enjoy advocating anti-drug morals and spreading awareness to my peers,” Bricker said. “I just want teenagers to be aware of drugs of all sorts and their harmful effects, and most importantly help those in need of help. My goal in this entire project is just to at least help one person, because that can make a life-changing difference.”

Bricker is the daughter of Cynthia Kelly and Daniel Bricker and the granddaughter of Jackie and Ron Kelly.

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