Hi, my name is Dillon Tapp, and I am a junior at Coalgate High School. I have worked with Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL) funded by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, on multiple occasions. As a YAHL member, regarding the Elevate Student Health campaign, I have worked with my school's elementary and high school staff to conduct presentations about creating a healthier student environment. 

As YAHL members, we are actively trying to improve the school's health and wellness policy. This includes healthier food options, cleaner drinking water and more physical activity. Some schools, such as my own, don't have a requirement for physical activity or provide clean drinking water, which is why we are advocating so hard to advance our policies. I've learned that no matter how good, all policies have room to improve!

Elevate Student Health events and presentations can occur anywhere school-related, such as lunch, a sporting event, conferences and so on. I myself, along with two other YAHL members at my school, Morgan and Elija, presented to every 4th grade class in our school at once about the importance of healthier food options, more physical activity and cleaner drinking water. The children were respectful, interactive and enjoyed the relay race activity especially. The Elevate Student Health campaign is important to the next generation. 

We work to improve the school's wellness policy, which is why we must care about these policies directly. We will continue working hard through policy change so that the next generation can be healthy and well-nurtured.

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By: Dillon Tapp, Coalgate High School