Creating the first tobacco-free generation
Say What! Youth Advocates Lead the Way to a Tobacco-Free Generation!
Say What! youth members have had a key role in educating over 1 MILLION Texans about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine products.
They have spent years advocating for tobacco prevention policies, taken on the tobacco industry and its deceptive marketing, and helped keep their peers and community tobacco-free.
Join the movement today and make your place in creating the first tobacco and nicotine-free generation.
Each year, Say What! members nominate their fellow peers to be honored as the leading youth or adult advocate for their school, community, and state. These nominees strive to make positive changes that encourage others to live healthy, tobacco and nicotine-free lives.
They receive statewide recognition for their hard work and dedication at the Say What! Texas
Tobacco-Free Conference and receive the opportunity to serve as a guest speaker or breakout session presenter at the Say What! Conference.
Do you know a youth, sponsor, or youth group who is passionate about educating others about the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine products? Nominate them today!
2024 SAY WHAT! YOUTH GROUP AWARDS
Vikings Kicking Out Tobacco (VKOT)
Bryan High School
Bryan, TX
RFMS-SWAT
Rockport-Fulton Middle School
Rockport, TX
2023 SAY WHAT! YOUTH GROUP AWARDS
Dawgs Against Tobacco
Jefferson Junior & High School
Jefferson, TX
2022 SAY WHAT! YOUTH GROUP AWARDS
Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church Shining Stars Leadership & Mentoring Program
Henderson, TX
VKOT
Bryan High School
Bryan, TX
2021 SAY WHAT!
YOUTH GROUP AWARDS
HTB Strikers
Harold T. Branch Academy
Corpus Christi, TX
2020 SAY WHAT!
MEMBER AWARDS
Krystal Salmeron
Youth member of VKOT
Bryan, Texas
Dana Pennington
Youth member of Young Ladies of Elegance
Houston, Texas
2019 SAY WHAT!
MEMBER AWARDS
Veronica Verango
Youth member of VKOT
Bryan, Texas
Ms. Assunta Burnside
Sponsor of HTB Strikers
Corpus Christi, Texas
Dr. Kimberley Booker
Sponsor of Young Ladies of Elegance Houston, Texas
2019 SAY WHAT!
YOUTH GROUP AWARDS
Bloodhounds
Saint Joseph Academy
Brownsville, Texas
VKOT
Bryan High School
Bryan, Texas
HTB Strikers
Harold T. Branch Academy
Corpus Christi, Texas
TPCC Angelina
Community Group
Lufkin, Texas
Young Ladies of Elegance
Community Group
Houston, Texas
These Say What! youth advocates have been nationally recognized for their tobacco prevention advocacy efforts for Texas! They will spend the next year in immersive leadership programs creating and promoting projects that inspire their peers, community, and state to live a tobacco and nicotine-free life.
Kellen Kruk
Kellen Kruk received a 2019 Youth Advocate of the Year Award from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids as a graduating senior at Pineywoods Community Academy in Lufkin. Kellen attended a gala in Washington, DC where he was honored for his diligent work in youth tobacco prevention advocacy. He now attends Texas State University in San Marcos and continues to participate in tobacco prevention related advocacy activities for the entire state of Texas.
Alex Sanchez
Alex Sanchez was accepted into the Truth Initiative Youth Activism Fellowship program as a 2019 Truth Ambassador. Alex recently graduated from Diboll High School in Diboll, and now attends Stephen F Austin University. Alex will spend his tenure as a Truth Ambassador learning from peers and mentors across the country regarding the public health impact of tobacco and nicotine use, youth engagement and leadership, as well as tobacco policy and advocacy.
Vikings Kicking Out Tobacco
Vikings Kicking Out Tobacco (VKOT) from Bryan High School received the group award for the 2019 Youth Advocate of the Year Award from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. VKOT attended a gala in Washington, DC and was honored for their work in youth tobacco prevention advocacy and continues to make an impact in their school, community and the entire state by creating and participating in tobacco prevention advocacy activities for Texas.
Say What! members have served as crucial players in tobacco prevention policy advocacy and educating their peers and community members about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine products.
Take a look at some of the achievements the Texas youth movement has made:
VKOT
May 2019
Vikings Kicking Out Tobacco (VKOT) helped pass a smoke-free ordinance as they diligently worked for 3 years to increase awareness and support for a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance for Bryan, Texas.
March 2018
Vikings Kicking Out Tobacco (VKOT) was recognized at a city council meeting for their efforts in working with the Parks & Recreation Department of Bryan, Texas to pass a smoke-free parks ordinance.
UNIDAD TPCC
December 2017
UNIDAD Tobacco Prevention & Control Coalition and its’ youth coalition members worked to pass 18 smoke-free ordinances for Hidalgo County between 2014-2017. Youth coalition members provided testimonies at city council meetings, held a vigil for those who have lost their life due to a tobacco-related disease, and partnered with the American Heart Association to host a Heart Walk for the community.
INGLESIDE SADD
May 2017
Ingleside High School Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) collected signatures of support for a smoke-free ordinance, held awareness walks to educate the community about the importance of smoke-free establishments, and presented at city council meetings.
January 2016
Ingleside High School Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) partnered with the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association to draft a smoke-free ordinance and speak at several city council meetings.
Say What! EST. 2011
Phone
512.245.8082
Mailing Address
Texas School Safety Center
ATTN: Say What Program
Texas State University
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666
Say What! was created and designed by young people from across Texas and connects students interested in eliminating tobacco from their schools and communities. The Say What! movement is funded by the Texas Department of State Health Services through a contract with the Texas School Safety Center at Texas State University.
