Students 'kick butts'

NOXON – In an effort to educate the kindergarten through eighth grade students about the harmful effects of tobacco, Noxon held their 9th annual Kick Butts Day event.

The day provided a chance for the younger students to look up to their older peers for advice and knowledge on a product that if used, could have harmful effects on their futures.

Approximately 80 kids took part in the event where they traveled to seven stations, learning the facts of tobacco usage. As they rotated around the room, hands on activities put smoking into a real life perspective.

At one station, the kids were asked to blow a balloon up with a straw, showing how smoking could affect your lung capacity while another station showed a large jar of tar, which symbolized a year’s worth of smoking.

The event was put on by the National Honor Society and future healthcare professionals of OHSA. Not only do the younger students learn about tobacco usage, but the students in charge of organizing the event learn responsibility, organization and leadership.

According to NHS Advisor Teri Burt, one of the most important things the students learn is how to delegate. The event also instills confidence in them.

“Last year we had one student who was not really vocal. He got here and he just blossomed,” Burt said. “He was so excited to do this again. What a good opportunity to put him in that leadership role.”

Tobacco Prevention Specialist Jan Parmelee said the event was not only educational, but it also was a fun way for the kids to learn about a serious topic. The interactive stations were surrounded around fun activities far different from a classroom setting.

“It’s amazing what those little ones actually know about tobacco. It’s unbelievable,” Parmelee said.

In the 9th year of the event, many students attend the Kick Butts Day event on a yearly basis, allowing them to further expand their knowledge on the effects of tobacco every year.

It also helps bring home the key message of the event: tobacco is unhealthy.

According to the chairman of the event, Austin Johnson, bringing home that message is one of the best parts of the day.

“Standing here and listening to the different questions they had, they knew more than I thought they did,” Johnson said. “That helps me because I know we’ve taught them in the past and they are learning more. Being able to know that we have helped them, that’s really cool.”

Johnson believes spreading the effects of tobacco is an important thing to do. After losing his grandfather to lung cancer, he believes the sooner kids know about the harmful effects, the better.

“I think for kids to be able to know the effects of this on their body, it’s a big benefit. The sooner they learn, the better,” Johnson said.

As a junior, this has been the second year Johnson has been a part of the event.

The kids who put the event on have approximately a month to prepare. Each student is assigned a certain station and from there they are responsible for researching the information they will present.

“They pull it off in the end,” Burt said.

Noxon plans to continue hosting the event for years to come. Next year will mark one decade of educating their youths to make smart choices, ultimately ending in a better, healthier lifestyle.