Hi, I’m Dacota Jacobs, and I am a current member of Youth Active Health Leadership (YAHL) and part of the leadership team. As part of YAHL, I have met with my school’s principals and teachers about the health policies in place at my school. In YAHL, I work on Elevate Student Health, which takes place in schools, during school-time events, and in meetings.

With Elevate Student Health, we are working to provide better food in schools, access to clean water, and more physical activity in order to improve student health. Physical activities in middle and high schools are less common, which in the long run is unhealthy for students. Alongside this, the food schools provide is low in calories and very limited in options. I saw this firsthand when I talked to someone about Elevate Student Health; that person actually passed out due to a lack of nutrients from school-provided food. Additionally, water filters are not changed on a regular basis and are often forgotten.

Being in YAHL and working on Elevate Student Health gives youth a voice to speak out against policies that directly affect them. This year, I intend to set up a meeting with my school board to address these issues, not only to help current students but also future students entering my school district. I also plan to seek out other students who are interested in changing the current health policies at my school. By doing these things, I hope to create a healthier Oklahoma and a healthier community.

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By: Dacota Jacobs, Tahlequah High School