CHAD
Chad was a bright, curious and quiet young man that started with us in 2004. With his quirky sense of humor and quiet kindness he was a favorite among his peers, but how would he do in front of a no nonsense school board or at a business meeting with managers. Chad wanted to learn skills that could help him with his family’s tobacco issues. He had seen the horrible effects of smoking on his own family. Having already lost a grandfather, he hoped that he could one day influence his grandmother to quit.
The program gave Chad opportunities to not only learn but act on the issue of tobacco prevention. Learning public speaking techniques, how to gather information relevant to stakeholders, how to make events interesting to other young people and working with the media were all things Chad got from our Question Why. In return, we got fresh and spunky ideas, dedication to the cause and a true leader in the work. What started out as a way to help his family has benefited a much wider scope of people.
Chad has gone on to present in the Minority Health Conference in Tennessee, National Conference on Tobacco or Health in Minnesota, and Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Conference in Florida. Chad was even the first youth in NC to be nationally recognized for his work in tobacco prevention. He reminds the world that young people can be influential…they just need the opportunity and skills.
He is currently attending Nyack College in New York and is a consultant for Allen/Ortiz Consulting. His awards include the 2007 Hitachi Foundation Award for Exemplary Community Service, 2007 Barron Prize for Young Heroes and 2007 Youth Service America from Senator Harris Woffard.
INDIA
When India joined our Question Why program, all she knew is that she hated her father’s smoking. She did not have a clue that there was a statewide movement to help reduce teen tobacco use. She just wanted to learn more information to be more effective in communicating the dangers of tobacco use to her family and friends.
Once she became in involved in Question Why, India learned that while education and getting the facts are important, it is only half of the solution. Question Why appealed to her because it was a way for her to create more youth advocates on the issue of tobacco prevention and work on policy. She learned that policy lasts longer and works on an issue even when you are not around.
By the time that India was a senior in high school, she was creating worksheets, organizing training outlines, putting together presentations and other creative visuals, and leading day-long presentations. Her poise, maturity and wit made her a favorite among the youth involved in tobacco prevention and we are certain that she will go on to great things. Currently, India is a sophomore at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
RISA
Risa began working with us as a sophomore and stayed with the program until she graduated from high school. She first joined due to seeing firsthand the detrimental effects of tobacco use on her family.
Although quiet at first, Risa quickly developed a confidence with her trainings and public speaking skills she went on to present at regional and national conferences and helped to implement tobacco-free policies at her school and local restaurants. With her developing skills in statistics and research, Risa was the Youth Evaluator for the program and created numerous resources and materials for the program.
Specific to civic engagement and using her voice, Risa credits the Question Why, the teen tobacco prevention program at YES, with empowering her to learn how to speak up for community change. She has worked in Haiti several times recruiting other youth to volunteer and lead fundraising events. Currently a student at Kenyon College, Risa leads their Pre-Orientation Service Program helping first-year students to commit to volunteer opportunities. Risa also has helped Kenyon’s Crozier Center for Women grow from a nearly obsolete gathering of two or three women at a time to an organization with a powerful and assertive presence on campus she is the head editor of their women’s interest magazine “56%” and organizes a guest lecture series. In 2007, Risa participated in Bike and Build, raising $4,000 to go towards the affordable housing cause, including Habitat for Humanity and the Fuller Center for Housing.
Risa continues to work for positive change and empowerment she is currently studying abroad in Mali and will complete research projects in 2008 on how women in Mali utilize the media to communicate political/feminist messages and ways in which women’s reproductive rights have been impacted in the United States.
