Staying after school may not seem like fun, but when it's with dozens of other fellow students, it might not sound so bad.

That's what 130 students did at Boardman Center Middle School for a special lock-in Friday night.

"We're teaching them about things that they're dealing with and what do you do? How do you make the healthy decision? When you have peer pressure, what do you do? What are some things you can say? If someone is being bullied, how can you help them?," said PANDA Leaders Club coordinator Beth Bonish.

The PANDA Leaders Club is a program from Meridian Community Care. The goal is to empower kids by giving them knowledge to make responsible decisions.

The lock-in focused on anti-bullying and anti-drug themed skits and games. PANDA student leaders performed for the other students. Another important part of the night was the "family groups." These small group discussions led by adult volunteers allowed students to talk, listen and connect.

"I'd like to make the world better for my little brother so that when he grows up he doesn't get picked on like I did," said one female student to the crowd.

The PANDA program has been in the Boardman schools for more than 10 years. Each year a few students are chosen to go to a special camp.

Alicia Lawson, now a high school senior, went to the camp about five years ago. She said the experience inspired her to bring what she had learned to the rest of the school and that the lock-in is like a mini version of the camp. Every year she comes back to attend the lock-in and is proud of how much the program has grown.

"I just distinctly remember one kid coming up to me, and he was like, 'Thank you so much for doing this, this is like everything to me, it's like a second home, and I love it!' and it really hit home," said Lawson.