News and Events
Okeechobee Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Chapter Hosts End of Year Awards Banquet
May 21, 2021
Okeechobee County Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) chapter partnered with Our Village Okeechobee (OVO) to host an end of year awards banquet to recognize the graduating seniors, and underclassman on their outreach efforts over this past school year.
SWAT members have worked hard to leave their mark on campus and throughout their community this school year. Although this school year did not go as planned due to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, many stepped up and out of their comfort zones to still make a difference in Okeechobee County.
During the 2020 - 2021 school year, Okeechobee County SWAT youth participated in several activities to educate and inform their peers, school staff and community members about the dangers of tobacco use and a specific focus on e-cigarettes. These activities were celebrated along with Not a Lab Rat Day, Red Ribbon Week, Through with Chew Week, and Tobacco Free Florida Week. Through these activities, SWAT youth were able to educate about smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, the youth E-Epidemic, the SWAT program, and point of sale initiatives.
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To our outgoing seniors, we are so very proud of all you have accomplished over the last four years. You have made an impact and set the bar extremely high for those that will follow you. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside you and to see your growth over the last four years and know that your futures will all be bright. Thank you for your commitment, efforts, love for community and leadership this year and thank you for making SWAT in Okeechobee County such a success.
SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco) is Florida's statewide youth organization working to mobilize, educate and equip Florida youth to revolt against and de-glamorize Big Tobacco. SWAT is a united movement of empowered youth working towards a tobacco free future. Maybe you’re asking yourself, what does our club do in our community? SWAT works to change the social norms associated with tobacco. This means we want to change the way people think about tobacco… making it less desirable, less acceptable and less accessible. We do this by advocating for change in local policies that affect how tobacco is marketed, how it is sold, and where it can be used. SWAT members can expect to participate in a wide range of activities including community education and outreach, public speaking, collecting data, and media advocacy. Okeechobee County youth can be members of the SWAT program through their school, Our Village Okeechobee, or the Okeechobee Virtual Chapter.
To learn more about SWAT visit our website www.swatflorida.com or contact Courtney Moyett at cmoyett@quitdoc.com.
