VOICE holds successful summit at new Westfield Washington library

Submitted

VOICE, a dynamic group of youth advocates committed to educating peers about the dangers of tobacco, recently held a successful summit and retreat at the newly opened Westfield Washington Township offices.

The event brought together two dozen passionate students from all high schools across Hamilton County who are eager to make a difference in their communities.

The day was filled with activities to foster teamwork, build knowledge, and inspire action. Participants engaged in various team-building exercises, delved deep into the issue of vaping, and attended the monthly Tobacco Free Hamilton County Alliance meeting. They also learned about the insidious marketing tactics employed by Big Tobacco and began planning impactful events for the upcoming school year.

The summit featured presentations by several esteemed leaders in the community:

• Stacy McGuire of Thieneman Construction
• Jim Ginder of the Hamilton County Health Department
• Stacy London of VOICE Indiana
• Stacy Collins and Erica Strahm of Breathe Easy Hamilton County
• Lucy Shenk, a senior at Marian College and a VOICE Hamilton County alumna
• Sanjana Malineni, a senior at Hamilton Southeastern High School and a statewide VOICE youth advocate

VOICE Hamilton County members are students dedicated to tobacco-free lifestyles and actively participate in various sports, arts, and other extracurricular activities. Their involvement in VOICE adds another dimension to their commitment to positively impacting their peers and community. All Hamilton County middle- and high-school students are invited to participate in this important group.

As the school year approaches, VOICE looks forward to continuing its mission of engaging youth advocates, educating community members and policymakers, and empowering their peers to take a stand against Big Tobacco. In collaboration with Breathe Easy Hamilton County and its Vape Free Schools Task Force subcommittee, VOICE is committed to uniting efforts across the county to combat the vaping epidemic among students, ensuring a healthier future for all.

Learn more about it at breatheeasyhamiltoncounty.com.