My name is ShaKayla N’cole Crank and I go to Tucumcari High School. This is my third year in Evolvement. One of the campaigns that we work on with Evolvement is 24/7, which works to make New Mexico schools tobacco-free. A truly 24/7 tobacco-free school district is when there is no tobacco, and nicotine of any kind on school grounds, and not just on school grounds, but at any event that is for the school, like sports games and debate tournaments and things of that nature.

One of the events I have done for 24/7 is Take Down Tobacco Day. I did this event in my school lunch room. We collected surveys and educated kids about the importance of tobacco-free schools and played a game for people who took a survey. We talked about tobacco policies to the students and also went to people’s tables and invited them to play so that they would have the opportunity to learn something new. The basis of this event is to inform people so they know the risk and the issues that we face every day when it comes to nicotine products. And I don’t have to do this alone, other Evolers and managers of Evolvoment help too. Through the Evolvement program, I have learned that there are many more things that we can do to have a clean school and work environment.

Others should care about a tobacco-free environment at school because it impacts so many of us. If there is no smoke and harmful nicotine products in the air then we can all learn and grow in school. It should be important to everyone at school or anyone who has loved ones at school because it is healthier. With the 24/7 policy we can improve the environment to protect everyone. This Is important to me because if I can work in a clean, breathable surrounding and succeed, so can everyone else.

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