News and Events
SWAT Recruitment Events Kick off 2023-2024 School Year!
September 13, 2023
Students Working Against Tobacco, or SWAT, is our youth-led advocacy group that focuses on educating peers on the dangers of tobacco use, including e-cigarettes. This year, we have two school-based SWAT clubs, which are open to youth in grades 6-12, Indian River Charter High School and our new club at Gifford Middle School.
The work of SWAT is more crucial than ever as youth vaping rates in Indian River County remain high. SWAT will address high usage rates with education and outreach through their schools and in their community.
Several recruitment events are being held to kick off the school year. Gifford Middle School had three days of club rush that was held September 6th, 7th, and 8th during lunch time. The SWAT Advisor and the Tobacco Prevention Specialist had a table at the club rush where students were able to visit to receive information on joining. The event was a huge success with seventeen 6th grade students, twelve 7th grade students, and ten 8th grade students signing up to join SWAT. Another opportunity for SWAT recruitment at Gifford Middle will be at their open house on September 13th. This will be an opportunity for parents as well as students to learn about the benefits of joining SWAT.
A big shout-out goes to our SWAT Advisor at Gifford Middle, Lateshia Henry. Lateshia is no stranger to SWAT; she was the SWAT Advisor previously at Gifford Middle School and we are very grateful to have her back! Indian River Charter High School hosted their club expo on September 11th and 19 students signed up to join the SWAT club there. Indian River Charter High School will be holding their first SWAT meeting on September 26th, 2023.
For more information on the SWAT Chapter in Indian River County, please contact Michelle Calandro at MCalandro@QuitDoc.com.
