3 years ago, ITAT students began to notice a vaping problem on their school buses. Some of their peers were vaping in the buses on the way to school and on their way home. Other students, including ITAT students felt uncomfortable with this and wanted to make a change. They brought this issue to the attention of their advisors, and together with the gracious assistance and advocacy of Outrage (Utah County Anti-Tobacco youth group), they were able to create a game plan.
ITAT students were able to create and design a project that involved anti-vaping/tobacco signage on every high school bus. Partnering with Outrage, they took this plan to the attention of many school districts, but progress was slow due to other barriers and COVID-19..
This month, ITAT and Outrage students presented to the Nebo School District on their anti-vaping/tobacco signage project. They presented vaping and tobacco facts and shared their background story on the reason for their project. After their presentation, Nebo School District agreed to be the first school district in Utah County to implement the signage on their buses!
We are so proud of our ITAT and Outrage students for their hard work on this project and their persistence in bringing thought to action! This month ITAT and Outrage students will return to Nebo School District to place their signs on all of the buses!
Here are a few thoughts from ITAT students on the opportunity to present at Nebo School District:
"I believe that vaping really effects the lives of me and other students. It makes us very uncomfortable and it is not good for us."
-Alema Saluone, 10th grader at Cedar Valley High School
"Hi my name is Jayda Ah You and I am a member of ITAT. About a month ago, ITAT and Outrage attended the Nebo School District meeting, to get permission to put signs in the school busses that say 'No Vaping'. I thought it was pretty cool like how it works, that members of ITAT and Outrage got to talk, and that I was able to go because I am only 11! Overall this experience has been educating and cool. Thank you."
-Jayda Ah You
"The signs in the bus are a really good idea. I feel really uncomfortable when people are vaping because I don't like being in an environment like that. I know this will help kids feel safer and better about riding the bus through making this change."
-Conner M., 10th grader at Cedar Valley High School
