Mountain Cats join Kick Butts Day
A group of Alberton students started a club to help prevent tobacco use and educate other students about health issues surrounding it’s use. They are called the Tobacco-Free Mountain Cats. Pictured left to right: Alyssa Perrine, Advisor Christina Wekkin, Isaac Warren, Gerald Peterson, Kady Kelsey, James Claxton and Brian Perrine (Photo courtesy of Barb Jasper)
A group of Alberton students, spearheaded by two sixth-graders, has led to the formation of the Tobacco-Free Mountain Cats.
This new student group has studied the health impacts of tobacco, cost of use, and marketing toward young people. They didn’t stop there; they created lessons and went throughout Alberton School teaching grades pre-school through sixth about what they learned.
“We wanted to start a club because we watched a video about Tobacco Awareness in Kentucky and got inspired and wanted to do this for our community,” shared Kady Kelsey and Alyssa Perrine, the club creators.
“The leadership these two students have demonstrated in their proactive, educational presentations to their peers has supported the school’s health curriculum and programming to promote healthy choices and healthy lifestyles,” said Carissa Kuhl, one of the club’s advisors.
Two of the sixth-grade members then challenged both Superior and St. Regis sixth-graders to learn some information about tobacco and then share that knowledge with others through participation in Kick Butts Day. This is a national day of advocacy where youth across the nation gather together to fight back against the big tobacco companies that try and recruit young people to start using tobacco.
Superior and St. Regis students responded by participating in separate Kick Butts Day events promoting the theme to “#BeTheFirst Tobacco Free Generation.” Education about the dangers of tobacco use including smoking, chew tobacco and vaping was shared, signatures were requested if the student wanted to pledge to be tobacco free, and then “chalk talk” activities were led for younger students on the playgrounds. They brainstormed and illustrated anti-tobacco slogans.
The Tobacco-Free Mountain Cats aren’t done bringing awareness to their community. “We plan to have a dance in May for students, and want to keep planning fun things to do.” Kady reported. Alyssa shared wanting to continue “telling others what is in tobacco products and what it does to your body.” The club members will continue to educate their peers and community by raising awareness with event opportunities, such as the County Fun Run, Healthy and Safety Day, and Railroad Days.”
Jasper is Mineral County Tobacco Prevention Specialist