Recently six high school students with the ACHS JEL (Just Eliminate Lies) Chapter received TATU (Teens Against Tobacco Use) training and became certified to present this outstanding program sponsored by the American Lung Association. The emphasis of the American Lung Association “Teens Against Tobacco Use” program is teens teaching their peers and younger children to make healthy choices about tobacco use.
Younger children see them as a tobacco-free teen and believe that smoking cigarettes or using spit tobacco is really an uncool behavior. Their presentations bring a refreshing departure from the traditional lessons taught or adults just saying “Don’t do it”. Young trained educators are just one of the key pieces to the puzzle to keeping our children on the right track of making healthy choices and provide a strong role model figure.
The members include Freshmen Ali Adams, Tara Selvy & Mikayla VandenBerg and Junior Members, Kaitlyn Vitko, Kim Kurimski and Chelsey VandenBerg (trained in 2006). These five students were TATU trained and certified by Ilene Johnson, SIEDA Substance Abuse, and Angela Tratchel, Monroe County Tobacco Coordinator on February 26th, 2009 through a 4 hour class held at the Trinity United Methodist Church. The group chose to present their program to the 5th grade students at the Lincoln Center on March 25th, 2009. The presentation was given to each 5th grade classroom individually and consisted of interactive and energetic skits and educational facts and tips. “This type of program is definitely a win-win situation for everyone involved” said Tratchel. “The high school students gain knowledge and skills they need to make an important impact in their school by being an advocate for tobacco control. It also gives them the building blocks needed for public speaking and community involvement. When youth can work together to help make a difference it is a great adventure!”
The ACHS JEL Group consists of approximately 25 members and meets periodically throughout the school year. The members plan and implement various events including activities related to Red Ribbon Week and Great American Smoke Out. The officers for the 2008-2009 school year are President – Kaitlyn Vitko, Vice President – Kim Kurimski, Secretary – Chelsey VandenBerg, and Media Reporter – Leah Datwyler.
Photo Kneeling – Kaitlyn Vitko & Kim Kurimski
Standing – Mikayla VandenBerg, Ali Adams & Tara Selvy
4/6/2009