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Making a Difference: My Journey with YAHL and Health Advocacy in High School

by Brayden Duncan

Hey, everyone! I’m Brayden Duncan, and I’m about to start my Junior year at Howe High School. I’ve been involved in YAHL (Youth Action for Health Leadership) for about a year now, and it’s been awesome. YAHL has two campaigns: CounterAct Tobacco and Elevate Student Health.

Let’s dive into what CounterAct Tobacco is all about. This campaign focuses on raising awareness about the dangers of smoking and vaping, debunking myths that make these habits seem “cool” and advocating for policies that reduce tobacco use among youth. My first-ever YAHL event was our fall festival, and it was a blast! We collected tons of surveys for CounterAct Tobacco and educated people about the campaign. It was surprisingly easy and fun to get people to fill out the surveys, and some folks even asked more questions, which was awesome. Through collecting surveys, I learned just how important data is for updating state policies.

One of the best parts of CounterAct Tobacco is how we engage with the community. We host events where we talk to our peers about the real effects of tobacco and vaping and share personal stories. It’s eye-opening to see how many people don’t know the full risks, and it feels great to help them understand and make better choices. Plus, we work on pushing for stricter regulations on tobacco retail licensing.

Now, onto Elevate Student Health. This campaign is all about making our schools healthier places to be. We focus on three main areas: better food options, more opportunities for physical exercise and ensuring access to clean water.

Healthy food in schools is a big deal because what we eat affects how we learn and feel. We advocate for nutritious meals in the cafeteria, healthier snacks in vending machines and overall better food policies. This isn’t just about getting rid of junk food; it’s about giving everyone the chance to eat well and feel good.

Physical exercise is another key part. We push for more physical education classes and fun programs that get everyone moving. Exercise isn’t just for athletes—it’s crucial for everyone’s physical and mental health. We want to make it easy and fun for all students to stay active.

Let’s not forget clean water. It might seem obvious, but not all schools have easy access to fresh, clean drinking water. We educate students about the importance of staying hydrated and school administrators about the importance of having access to clean water.

Honestly, the main reason I joined YAHL is because I see so many younger kids vaping and thinking it’s the coolest thing ever. It’s not. I really want to make a difference and educate them about how dangerous vaping is. Being a part of YAHL has been a game-changer for me. I’ve picked up leadership skills like public speaking, networking and event hosting.

Next year, I’m excited to host even more events and spread the word about tobacco cessation, nutrition and physical activity in my community. I can’t wait to dive into next school year with YAHL and make an even bigger impact. Let’s do this!

Changing My School in Oktaha for the Better by Olivia Shackelford

My name is Olivia, but everyone calls me Livy. I’m from Oktaha, Oklahoma. If you don’t know where that is, it’s near Muskogee. I’m a member of YAHL (Youth Action for Health Leadership) and am honored to be on the leadership team. I feel really lucky to have such a great youth field organizer, Hannah […]

Empowering Future Leaders: My Journey with Youth Action for Health Leadership by My Nguyen

My name is My, and I am a member of the YAHL Leadership Team. I aim to promote the power of leadership among current YAHL members and future YAHL Leadership Team members. YAHL, which stands for Youth Action for Health Leadership, is a youth-led organization dedicated to enhancing youth health through campaigns such as CounterAct […]

Making a Difference: My Journey with YAHL and Health Advocacy in High School

by Brayden Duncan Hey, everyone! I’m Brayden Duncan, and I’m about to start my Junior year at Howe High School. I’ve been involved in YAHL (Youth Action for Health Leadership) for about a year now, and it’s been awesome. YAHL has two campaigns: CounterAct Tobacco and Elevate Student Health. Let’s dive into what CounterAct Tobacco […]

Making My Community Better Through YAHL by Aaliyah Larson

My name is Aaliyah Larson, and I’m currently a sophomore attending Stilwell High School. I joined YAHL in 2022, marking my first year on the YAHL Leadership Team. Being on the Leadership Team has provided an invaluable opportunity, enabling me to make new connections, practice my public speaking skills and make positive changes within my […]

Advocating for Health: My YAHL Journey by Frankie Linker

My name is Frankie. I’m 16 years old and getting ready for my junior year of high school. I wanted to share my experience with an amazing program called Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL). When I first learned about YAHL, I was intrigued. It offered a chance to truly make a difference in my […]

Empowering Change: My Journey with Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL) by Lacey Laymon

I am Lacey Laymon, a senior at Keys High School, and I have been a member of Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL) for two years. Currently, I serve on the state leadership team. YAHL actively engages in two youth-led campaigns: Elevate Student Health, which focuses on maintaining the health of our schools, and CounterAct […]

Making a Change in My Community by Kaydence Townsend

My name is Kaydence, and I attend Purcell High School. I first heard about Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL) from Aisha – one of the YAHL staff – in my class during school. To become a member of YAHL, I had to go to the training for YAHL members in the fall where we […]

Gaining Confidence as a Member of Youth Action for Health Leadership by Miguel Ramirez

My name is Miguel, and I am a junior at Howe Public Schools and a member of Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL). I have worked with other YAHL members on different campaign opportunities. I started getting involved in YAHL by going to the YAHL training at my school in the fall. At the training […]

My Voice Matters in YAHL by Mayra Amezcua

My name is Mayra Amezcua, and I am a junior at Howe Public Schools. YAHL stands for YouthAction for Health Leadership. YAHL has two campaigns – CounterAct Tobacco and ElevateStudent Health. CounterAct Tobacco is trying to reduce underage tobacco use while ElevateStudent Health is trying to increase access to healthy food and drinks and physical […]

Showing my School the Dangers of Teen Tobacco Use with YAHL

My name is Brayden Duncan, and I’m going to be a junior at Howe High School. I have been in YAHL for about a year. YAHL has two campaigns named Counteract Tobacco and Elevate Student Health. My first YAHL event was our fall festival, where we were able to collect a lot of surveys for […]

How YAHL’s Campaigns Showed Me a New Perspective on Oklahoma Health Disparities

My name is Carina Chen. I am a junior at Classen SAS @NE High School and a member of the leadership team at Youth Action for Health and Leadership (YAHL). I first heard about YAHL in my biomedical class from my Youth Field Organizer (YAHL supervisor), Beverly. During the training, Beverly educated me and many […]

How YAHL Leadership Team Prepared Me to Make Change by Payton Bounds

My name is Payton Bounds; I am a senior at Purcell High School. I have worked with many students who are a part of YAHL and on the leadership team. At the YAHL summit, we all gather from across Oklahoma for a few days to learn more about leadership. I originally joined YAHL for the […]

My Experience with YAHL by Emma Teague

I am Emma Teague, and I am going to be a senior at Keys High School. This year is my first year being on the Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL) leadership team. My first experience with YAHL was at the training hosted at my high school. Later that year, I participated in YAHL Swap […]

Why Health Activism is Important to Me by Lillian Dallis

My name is Lillian. I am 15, and I’m from Park Hill, Tahlequah. YAHL is a program that talks about unhealthy ways and habits that can affect your life. You may learn new things, meet new people and make new friends along the way! We talk about how to better Oklahoma for kids, teens and […]

Sparking Change for this Generation and the Next by Braden Mensack

My name is Braden Mensack. I am a senior from Keys High School and have beenadvocating through the Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL) program for almost twoyears. YAHL is a youth-led advocacy organization focused on improving the health andwell-being of youth in the state of Oklahoma. I decided that I needed to join the […]

Passing Policies to Protect Youth by Aaron Roy

Hello, my name is Aaron Roy, and I’m 15 and from Duncan OK. I work with the youth program called YAHL which is an acronym for Youth Action for Health Leadership. We try to raise health standards for youth all over Oklahoma. I joined YAHL to become a better version of myself. I’m glad that […]

My Goal? Stopping Big Tobacco! by Rhianna Dumas

My name is Rhianna Dumas, and I’m 14. I was born in Guthrie, Oklahoma, and stayed there until I was 7; now I live in Oklahoma City. This past year I joined a program called YAHL. YAHL stands for Youth Action for Health Leadership, and we work with TSET to get better health choices at […]

Giving a Voice to the Voiceless by My Nguyen

Hello, my name is My Nguyen, I am 15, and I live in Oklahoma City. I’m a member of YAHL, which stands for Youth Action for Health Leadership. In YAHL, we work on two youth-led campaigns: CounterAct Tobacco and Elevate Student Health. I joined YAHL because it is a really good way to help my […]

My Journey with YAHL by Mayra Amezcua

Hi, my name is Mayra, and I’m from Howe Public Schools. I am currently 14 years old. I’m a part of an organization called Youth Action for Health Leadership or YAHL. I joined YAHL to try something new. When I joined, I was hoping to gain leadership skills, better public speaking skills and earn scholarships. […]

Working Hard to Make a Difference by Essence Felder

Hello, I’m Essence Felder. I currently live in OKC, Oklahoma, and I’m 16. YAHL stands for Youth Action for Health Leadership. YAHL’s main goal is to better youth’s lives as a whole, be it through CounterAct Tobacco or Elevate Student Health. I decided to join because I loved that YAHL is not only pointing out […]

Why I Joined YAHL by Deiondra Howard

I am Deiondra Howard. I’m from Coalgate, Oklahoma, and I’m currently 16 years old. I chose to join YAHL because I want to improve my community. As a teen in high school, I am exposed to a lot of vaping on a daily basis. I think that YAHL can help to improve the problem of […]

Making a Difference in Coalgate, Oklahoma by Brecken Hunt

YAHL Impacts My Community for the Better by Carina Chen

Giving a Voice to the Voiceless by My Nguyen

For CounterAct Tobacco, we are working to promote comprehensive tobacco retail licensing. For example, we want to make sure all tobacco retailers have a license to sell vapes and e-cigs. I have seen teens accessing vapes from gas stations and from strangers, and this is concerning to me. Smoking and vapes are the hardest to dodge when there are ads and the access to them in gas stations and convenience stores is so easy. They always put beautiful colors and flavors in front of kids’ eye levels. The flavors and vapes are often advertised as not being as bad as cigarettes, but vapes still contain toxic levels of nicotine when you smoke them. You are literally putting nickels and metals into your lungs – that’s dangerous.

For Elevate Student Health, we are working to put healthy food options in schools and improve school wellness policies. I see that many schools in Oklahoma, especially in rural areas or small towns, don’t have access to clean drinking water or healthy food options. I see easy access to junk food at school. For example, in school when they are selling foods for clubs, events and fundraisers, the majority of the time it is junk foods containing high calories and trans fats. Through Elevate Student Health we are working to create alternative healthy options like trail mix or fruits and vegetables. This may face some challenges, but it will feel good when I see my friends and teachers more active, happy and healthy from the food they are eating.

With YAHL I will put a voice to the voiceless to help Oklahomans see that vapes are not safe and there are policies that can protect us. I want to help Oklahoma schools be the healthiest they can be. I hope that through my efforts members of my community can understand the dangers of tobacco and the importance of healthy schools.

Changing My School in Oktaha for the Better by Olivia Shackelford

Empowering Future Leaders: My Journey with Youth Action for Health Leadership by My Nguyen

Making a Difference: My Journey with YAHL and Health Advocacy in High School

Making My Community Better Through YAHL by Aaliyah Larson

Advocating for Health: My YAHL Journey by Frankie Linker

Empowering Change: My Journey with Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL) by Lacey Laymon

Making a Change in My Community by Kaydence Townsend

Gaining Confidence as a Member of Youth Action for Health Leadership by Miguel Ramirez

My Voice Matters in YAHL by Mayra Amezcua

Showing my School the Dangers of Teen Tobacco Use with YAHL

How YAHL’s Campaigns Showed Me a New Perspective on Oklahoma Health Disparities

How YAHL Leadership Team Prepared Me to Make Change by Payton Bounds

My Experience with YAHL by Emma Teague

Why Health Activism is Important to Me by Lillian Dallis

Sparking Change for this Generation and the Next by Braden Mensack

Passing Policies to Protect Youth by Aaron Roy

My Goal? Stopping Big Tobacco! by Rhianna Dumas

Giving a Voice to the Voiceless by My Nguyen

My Journey with YAHL by Mayra Amezcua

Working Hard to Make a Difference by Essence Felder

Why I Joined YAHL by Deiondra Howard

Making a Difference in Coalgate, Oklahoma by Brecken Hunt

YAHL Impacts My Community for the Better by Carina Chen

Making a Difference in Coalgate, Oklahoma by Brecken Hunt

Hello everyone, my name is Brecken. I live in Atoka, but I go to school in Coalgate, and I am 16. I work with a student-led organization called YAHL. YAHL stands for Youth Action for Health Leadership. I joined for two reasons. First, I wanted to have a bit of fun, and second, I wanted to help my school and community for the future. I attended a summit for the YAHL Leadership Team, and while at the Leadership Team summit, I’ve had opportunities to learn more about how I can help my school and community.

While at the Leadership Team Summit, I have been able to grow as a person. YAHL has helped me to focus on my skills, such as public speaking, networking, leadership and more. The opportunities YAHL has given me are endless. For my college application, I can use that I’ve been on the Leadership Team for YAHL, along with the amount of community service hours volunteering with YAHL has provided. The experience YAHL has given me will help me be the best and do the best I can do. The main reason why I joined YAHL was to help regulate tobacco usage among youth and have better health options for my school, Coalgate High School. Many Coalgate High School students have been addicted to or still are addicted to drugs and alcohol, and there are people in our community who have gotten cancer from the local water source.

If I can help save my school, the future students can live a better life than the youth before them. They will have better and safer water, their physical activity will be better and they will have healthier options in the cafeteria as well. I want to bring awareness to the people of Oklahoma so they can make a difference in their lives too.

Changing My School in Oktaha for the Better by Olivia Shackelford

Empowering Future Leaders: My Journey with Youth Action for Health Leadership by My Nguyen

Making a Difference: My Journey with YAHL and Health Advocacy in High School

Making My Community Better Through YAHL by Aaliyah Larson

Advocating for Health: My YAHL Journey by Frankie Linker

Empowering Change: My Journey with Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL) by Lacey Laymon

Making a Change in My Community by Kaydence Townsend

Gaining Confidence as a Member of Youth Action for Health Leadership by Miguel Ramirez

My Voice Matters in YAHL by Mayra Amezcua

Showing my School the Dangers of Teen Tobacco Use with YAHL

How YAHL’s Campaigns Showed Me a New Perspective on Oklahoma Health Disparities

How YAHL Leadership Team Prepared Me to Make Change by Payton Bounds

My Experience with YAHL by Emma Teague

Why Health Activism is Important to Me by Lillian Dallis

Sparking Change for this Generation and the Next by Braden Mensack

Passing Policies to Protect Youth by Aaron Roy

My Goal? Stopping Big Tobacco! by Rhianna Dumas

Giving a Voice to the Voiceless by My Nguyen

My Journey with YAHL by Mayra Amezcua

Working Hard to Make a Difference by Essence Felder

Why I Joined YAHL by Deiondra Howard

Making a Difference in Coalgate, Oklahoma by Brecken Hunt

YAHL Impacts My Community for the Better by Carina Chen

Hello, my name is Carina Chen. I am fourteen years old, I am from Oklahoma and last, but definitely not least, I am a member of the leadership team at YAHL. YAHL stands for Youth Action for Health and Leadership, and they are a health activist group working towards two campaigns: CounterAct Tobacco and Elevate Student Health. These campaigns collect surveys and communicate with lawmakers and school administration to change policies to help restrict tobacco usage in youth and encourage them to make healthy decisions. I originally decided to join YAHL so I could be more present in my community and participate in another extracurricular activity. However, now that I have become a leadership team member, I have gained that and so much more such as confidence, social skills, friends and connections. Plus, the health activism threat YAHL works on is important in the case that a large percentage of Oklahoma youth is unhealthy and uses tobacco products. In future years, I hope I can use the tools that YAHL has given me to really make an impact and better my community and its health.

I want to see change within my community because every day I see many of my peers making bad choices with their life, and I am sad to think of how many opportunities are going down the drain due to the lack of knowledge and encouragement. YAHL has helped me accomplish many of my goals. For example, after collecting surveys and talking to people about this campaign, I have gained confidence in public speaking and talking to strangers. To make a bigger impact on my community, I would like to go on to give a partner presentation to my district’s school board and talk to some of the state’s legislatures.

While my personal goals benefit me and give me motivation, they also help to uplift my community. For example, when I gained experience talking to strangers it helped me to collect more surveys, thus getting more data to convince lawmakers and the people in charge. The others in my community also benefit by being restricted from inhaling toxic chemicals that come from tobacco products and being provided with healthy options that they can fine-tune to habits and routines when they become adults. They can also benefit by gaining social skills and confidence if they join this program. They can join if their high school already offers it, or they can request it as well! I would definitely recommend this program to anyone as they can not only improve themselves, but they can also uplift their community simultaneously.