Hi! My name is Olivia Shackelford. I attend Oktaha High School in Oklahoma. I am a returning leadership member for Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL), an organization funded by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET). With YAHL, I promote two campaigns: Counter Act Tobacco and Elevate Student Health.  I have participated in numerous events with Elevate Student Health, including setting up at basketball games at my school, participating in Swap Up Days, and meeting with my school board.

When we attend basketball games, I set up an event table and invite other YAHL members from my school to help and work the table. We ask people to take surveys for a prize and get their opinions on our school's wellness policies.  This year, the YAHL members from our school helped set up Swap Up Day. This consisted of cutting fruits and vegetables into healthy portions and handing out water with sugar-free flavors and Gatorade that is zero-sugar.

I took a big step this year and did a school board meeting by myself. I showed the board member how we could update our policy to meet TSET standards and shared some of my concerns about having clean water at my school. The result of this meeting was great. They are working on updating our policy, and they also appreciated my work with YAHL.  I am very thankful my school signed up for the YAHL program, and that I got involved. YAHL has helped me learn so many new skills that will prepare me for the future. Thank you, YAHL, and thank you, TSET, for everything you’ve taught me.

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By: Olivia Shackelford, Oktaha High School