Heritage School

I had a very interesting experience.  I went to Heritage School which is an At Risk School for 7th-12th graders.  I went there to educate the students about the new harmful tobacco products (like the ones that i talked about with the legislators at the Capitol).  We educated these students at a Health Fair that they had going on.  I helped teach with another girl from my major, and it was fun because we split up our booth and we had it down.  First the kids would look at a pig's lungs that were all black and gross, which was a visual of how much damage smoking can do.  And then they would move on to my section where i would talk to them about the new smokeless tobacco products.  Then they would move onto my friend and they would spin a wheel and win a prize.  While we were teaching these kids though we had posters of comparing the tobacco products, old tobacco products, mints and gum to show the similar packaging and how harmful it could be for a child.  When i would show this image to the kids some of them would say little comments like "ohh mann those menthols" or "dang i miss..."  And it was just so shocking that even though they are at this school and are over their addictions those feelings come back so quick of those tobacco products just from that little picture.  And the first group that we got were these little 7th grade girls, but now being older i feel like they all looked like they were 10 rather than 13 or 14, but in my head i just kept thinking, "man, what got these cute little girls into a school like this?!"  They come from such different life than what i have been raised.  Overall the experience made me so grateful for my life and that i wasn't exposed to these addictive behaviors that can mess up your mind and lead you to destructive behaviors and lifestyles.  Thanks Mom and Dad for raising me in a home where there is love and the gospel.