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On Jan. 26, northeast Washington students from Shadle Park High School and Cheney High School stepped off the bus in Olympia and into a bigger conversation, joining young people from across Washington for Youth Tobacco Prevention Day. Between the Capitol steps and the rotunda’s echo, they spent the day building advocacy skills, learning how Washington’s tobacco policies work, and meeting directly with legislators to share what they are seeing and experiencing as teens in their communities. For many, it was a first look at how policy is shaped and a first chance to speak in a space where youth perspectives are too often missing.
Their message was simple and steady: flavored nicotine products are built to hook kids, and young people want a healthier future. The experience sharpened their confidence and reminded everyone in the room that when students are trusted with real responsibility, they show up ready.
At NEWESD 101, this kind of youth leadership is exactly what our work is designed to support. Through Hope Squad and our Community Coalitions, we partner with schools and communities across northeast Washington to strengthen prevention efforts, build protective factors, and connect students to caring adults and resources. Whether it is Hope Squad’s peer-to-peer support model inside schools or coalition work that brings education, health, and community partners to the same table, the goal is the same: safer, healthier communities where students can thrive.
This meaningful opportunity was made possible through generous funding from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, helping ensure students from our region could participate, learn, and advocate.
Learn more about Hope Squad by emailing [email protected] or visiting our northeast Washington Community Coalitions webpage.