By: ShaRonda R. Amon, Coalition Coordinator
On Saturday, June 4th, Incorruptible Us students from all over NJ attended a statewide summer kickoff event sponsored by New Jersey Prevention Network and Tobacco Free for a Healthy NJ.
Incorruptible Us (IU) is a youth tobacco action group whose goal is to educate youth on the harmful risks of vaping and decrease youth tobacco use. The Middlesex County chapter of IU has students from both Carteret and South Brunswick High Schools.
The day began with a keynote speaker, Kevin Wanzer, who is a motivational comedian. In between his silly laughs and heart-warming stories about his family, Kevin inspired the students to strive to be positive and continue to help their community stay tobacco-free. Staff from the Lindsey Meyer Teen Institute (LMTI) led the students in fun interactive games, including a fun scavenger hunt throughout lunch. During the last part of the day, the students were able to connect with other youth from around the state when the LMTI staff mixed up the groups. Youth were able to learn about the differences and similarities of the vaping epidemic from the other regions in the state. This discussion helped them create an action plan to shed light on challenges today’s youth are facing with Big Tobacco and how they can continue to educate their peers.
Lastly, the students learned about how the IU Alumnae were taking the fight to their colleges and universities in NJ by creating Incorruptible U. High School seniors were honored with graduation cords and other IU swag. Our very own Jasmine Langomas, a high school senior who founded the IU chapter at Carteret High School, in her speech, she said, “Take what you learn today and put that into making something bigger and something amazing. You can do so much.” The day ended with all of the students heading into IPlay America to enjoy laser tag, video games, go-carts and winning prizes.
If you are interested in learning more about Incorruptible Us or starting a chapter in your school, contact ShaRonda Amon at sharonda.amon@wcpnj.org.