Kevin Laliberte
Smoky River Express
A determined group of junior high school students from G.P. Vanier in Donnelly continue to do their part to actively convey the dangers of tobacco use.
Students expanded upon that important message March 29 by gathering outside to spray-paint more than 75 black angels in the snow as a way of effectively demonstrating the harmful consequences of tobacco use.
“The snow angel project was part of a visual message reminding everyone that 130 people die each day in Canada from smoking-related illness,” says school counselor D.J. Hicks.
The internal school-based event falls on the heels of an Alberta Lung Association BLAST (Building Leaders for Action in Schools Today) conference last November in Edmonton which was attended by several local students. They included Stephan Blanchette (team captain), Joel Aubin, Courtney Rondeau, Mik-el Brunin, Brandon Laliberte, Jason Mader and Hicks, the team coach.
“The purpose of the conference was to inform students in the province about the dangers of tobacco use while giving them the tools to return to their respective and pass that message along to their peers,” Hicks adds.
She says the team has assumed the role of educating students through efforts and activities similar in nature to the snow angel theme.
Part of that process involved bringing in a keynote speaker from AADAC in March to discuss how power walls work to subconsciously promote smoking among youth.
“The tobacco industry is not allowed to advertise, yet these displays of cigarette packages at retail outlets discretely promote the idea,” Hicks explains.
Next up for students is a marathon movie night taking place on the evening of April 20.
“The entire junior high student body is invited to stay after school from 4 to 9 p.m. to watch movies, including Something Stinks in Hollywood, The Tobacco Conspiracy and Grease,” Hicks notes.
Supper is being served in addition to popcorn.
The team is also currently working on a power point presentation to be shown in various classes next month.
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