News and Events
SWAT Youth Advisory Board Holds Annual Meeting
By Berkley Barnes, IRC Community Club President and Youth Advocacy Board (YAB) Member
March 10, 2025
Attending the Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Youth Advocacy Board (YAB) two-day conference was an empowering experience. Surrounded by passionate peers, I gained valuable insights into the dangers of tobacco and collaborated on planning impactful initiatives for our state, region (4) and county. A major focus was organizing a statewide event aimed at engaging youth in tobacco prevention efforts, which involved brainstorming creative strategies to maximize outreach and impact.
The conference provided a platform for us to connect with students from different regions, each contributing unique ideas for the statewide event. We worked together to develop plans for workshops, interactive activities, and awareness campaigns that would resonate with young people across the state. By the end, I felt equipped with the tools and confidence needed to help lead this initiative and inspire others to join the fight against tobacco use.
