News and Events
Thirteen Students Working Against Tobacco Members Graduate from DeSoto High School Earning a SWAT Honor Cord!
May 23, 2018
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 our club does 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.
Standing L to R): Jakeyla Washington, Jasmyn Jackson, Zach Dalton, Hayleigh McCall, Lauren Wiley - president, Shahiem Silvera, and Paulina Garcia;
Kneeling (L to R): Danaeshia Wilson and Tylia Crowell; Not pictured:
Antonio Polk, Malcolm Smith, Yessina Castillo, and Semja Elrod
SWAT Youth accomplish 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.
While we had numerous SWAT Seniors in our club this year, only a select few dedicated themselves to meeting the rigorous expectations to be awarded a cord. A big congratulation is in order for our 13 seniors of the DeSoto County High School SWAT Club who went above and beyond to earn a SWAT Club honor cord to wear at graduation.
SWAT Seniors proudly cross the stage at Grad Night to receive their well-earned honor cord.
Many students join SWAT because they have parents or loved ones who are tobacco users and want to break the cycle of addiction in their family and educate other. Others join the SWAT club because they enjoy the community events and giving back to their community. Nonetheless, Seniors love receiving cords, thus, our SWAT Youth showcase them to attract new members at the beginning of each year during the back to school event.
To learn more about SWAT visit our website www.swatflorida.com or contact Jodie DeLoach at jdeloach@quitdoc.com.
