News and Events

Dixie County Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Members Attend Statewide Training
June 12, 2023

During the weekend of June 8th – 11, 2023, two Dixie County SWAT youth, Harley NesSmith and Ashlyn Berry, attended the 2023 Statewide SWAT Meeting in Lakeland, Florida.  Jordan Butler, a former Dixie County SWAT member and a teacher at Ruth Rains Middle School is a new SWAT advisor for Dixie County, chaperoned for the training.

The theme was SWERVE and included four days and three nights of trainings, sessions and statewide SWAT connections. 

 

Ms. Jordan shared that many of the Sessions on the agenda for the Statewide SWAT youth were very interesting and she even learned a lot about the program. She shared that the key note speaker who spoke about Resilience was very interesting and motivating.  These Sessions included Tobacco Industry 101, Campaign Planning Skills, Mission Statement Workshop, The Power of Inspiration: Building a connection with your community, Perfecting Policy, Community Activism with Michael Scott and Town Hall Conversations.  The youth really enjoyed the DIY sessions that they could sign up for to ignite their creativity.  Game night, talent show night and a dance were planned closers after long days of gaining knowledge. 

Ashlyn Berry shared that the training was fun, she really enjoyed spending time with the other SWAT youth, the session on Find your Voice and she loved the DIY sessions. Harley NesSmith shared that she hopes that she can attend the 2023-24 Region 2 SWAT training.