News and Events
Okeechobee High School Recognizes Graduating Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Members
May 12, 2016
On May 12, Okeechobee High School SWAT Club honored their graduating seniors with an awards ceremony and highlighted their achievements over the past few year. This year, the club will have 24 seniors graduating from the club and they will be greatly missed.
Over the past years these students have been instrumental in helping pass the new 100% tobacco free grounds policy that was adopted by the school district in April of 2015, and have received proclamations from both the City and the County of Okeechobee.
SWAT students also attended regional training events in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach and were given awards at those trainings for the work they do in their community and growing their club to over 35 active members.
These students participated in numerous events over the years to try and change the social norm perception of tobacco among the youth in Okeechobee. Some of their events were: The Health and Safety Expo, Santa in the Park, Bell ringing for Salvation Army, Lake O Clean up on Kick Butts Day, Okeechobee County Fair, DARE Graduation, Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, Adam Bryant Minimal Regatta and Legislative Delegation.
SWAT Coordinator Courtney Moyett stated “This group of students will be greatly missed. They have worked very hard to make an impact on the youth tobacco usage rates and worked incredibly hard to change the social norms in Okeechobee County. They have set the bar high for the incoming SWAT students and I commend them for all their hard work they have done in Okeechobee County.”
SWAT is all about promoting smoke free lifestyles in the Sunshine State and Okeechobee County. Being in SWAT gives you the chance to make a difference in your community, while also being part of a statewide movement. SWAT is ran by youth and for youth to create a smoke free Florida through activism.
HERE'S HOW SWAT WORKS:
- We fight against manipulative tobacco efforts that try to get new smokers
- We stop tobacco companies from infiltrating our culture
SWAT members fight for these goals by leading projects. As a member, you decide how to fight and how to use activism to cause social change in a fun and cool way.
The coolest part is, SWAT gives you real world experience: community service hours, college app building opportunities and hands on experience in leadership, activism, and promotions.
For more information on local youth tobacco prevention efforts, contact Courtney Moyett, Okeechobee County's Tobacco Prevention Specialist, at CMoyett@QuitDoc.com
