Say What! Tobacco-Free
Virtual Conference
July 26 – 28, 2021
Welcome
Welcome to the 2021 Say What! Texas Tobacco-Free Virtual Conference. We’re so excited you’re here! To help ensure you have the best conference experience possible, take a look at a few important highlights below.
YAPP app
Download the YAPP app on your phone! You’ll receive access to the agenda, color team challenges, networking, and more.
Pre-Assessment
Everyone must complete the Pre-Assessment. If you haven’t yet, you can complete it here or in the YAPP app.
Color Teams
Wear your color team's color on Monday and your conference shirt on Tuesday. Make sure you have the app downloaded as all of the challenges and important information you need to play can be found there.
ENGAGE WITH US!
There will be opportunities to ask questions, play games, earn SWAG, and more during the conference. Make sure you’re also following us on Instagram so you don’t miss anything on social media.
Conf. Evaluation
Help us continue creating the best youth tobacco prevention conference possible by completing the conference evaluation. The link to complete the evaluation will be available Wednesday afternoon in the YAPP app or through your email.
ZOOM
Need a password to join Conference through Zoom? Please use saywhat21
Day 1: Monday
Monday, July 26th
12:15pm – 5:00pm
The best virtual youth conference all starts here! You’ll feel motivated and inspired, you’ll discover leadership potential you didn’t know you had, you’ll uncover lies and deception from the tobacco industry, and just might laugh along the way. So, join now for one-of-a-kind experiences!
Virtual Conference Opens
Conference Begins!
“Making an Impact in Uncertain Times”
with Shaun Derik
2021 Tobacco Prevention Policy Updates
“Inside the Darkside”
with Dr. Victor DeNoble
Break
Teen Ambassador Session:
The Health Effects of Tobacco
Break
Teen Ambassador Session:
Tobacco on a Global Level
Closing Session & Activities
Day 1 Ends
12:15pm
12:30pm
1:00pm
2:10pm
2:30pm
3:30pm
3:40pm
4:10pm
4:20pm
4:50pm
5:00pm
Keynote Speakers:
Shaun Derik
Affectionately known as "The Speaker for the Dreamer,” Shaun's expertise in effective youth engagement derives from his 10 years in youth development (R.E.A.C.H. Communications, Inc), 8 years in prevention (Youth to Youth International), and 5 years in philanthropic event planning. His most notable work has been in Character Development serving such worthy causes as The Mississippi Department of Education’s DropOut Prevention program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York Youth Advocate team training, The National Police Activities League, and ABC Virginia’s Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Project.
Most recently, Shaun was asked to host the West Virginia Gamechangers Opioid Awareness Conference where he engaged and inspired over 200,000 live via PBS broadcast.
Dr. Victor DeNoble
Victor J. DeNoble, Ph.D. was recruited in 1980 by the Phillip Morris Research Center to build a secret research lab and to develop a cigarette with reduced heart risk. After successfully identifying a nicotine substitute that did not elevate the heart rate in animal models, his attempts to publish his work were suppressed by Philip Morris. He was eventually fired, and his laboratory and data were seized.
In 1994, after a decade of being silenced by a secrecy agreement, Dr. DeNoble became the first whistle-blower to testify before Congress about his research conducted within the tobacco industry. His congressional testimony was the cornerstone for sweeping changes in public policy regarding tobacco use. Dr. DeNoble is also the subject of the film documentary "Addiction Incorporated" released in 2011.
Teen Ambassador Sessions:
The Health Effects of Tobacco
TA Presenters: Micah & Max
Time: 3:40pm
Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death in the United States. In fact, tobacco kills more people than car accidents, suicides, murders, AIDS, alcohol, and illegal drugs combine. This session will uncover how tobacco products, secondhand smoke and aerosol can negatively impact your health and the health of others.
Tobacco on a Global Level
TA Presenters: Jeniah & Daegen
Time: 4:20pm
The tobacco industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry that profits off lying and deceiving our country and countries around the world. While we have laws that help protect us from Big Tobacco, other countries don’t. In this session, you’ll learn about how the tobacco industry markets to other countries, pretends to be the “good guys,” and what advocates are doing to fight back.
Day 2: Tuesday
Tuesday, July 27th
10:30am – 4:00pm
Welcome back to day two of the virtual conference! We hope you’re ready to continue listening to the Say What! Teen Ambassadors, competing in more color team challenges, and discovering your leadership potential. Today, you’ll also have the opportunity to hear from the Say What! Youth Group of the Year, HTB Strikers.
Day 2 Begins!
Teen Ambassador Session:
Emerging Killers
Morning Break
Teen Ambassador Session:
Tobacco and Environmental Concerns
Grab Your Lunch!
Say What! REACTS
Say What! Member Youth Panel
Afternoon Session & Activities
“Dream Driven”
with Matt Ransdell Jr.
Closing Session & Activities
Day 2 Ends
10:45am
11:00am
11:30am
11:40am
12:10pm
12:30pm
1:30pm
2:15pm
2:45pm
3:30pm
4:00pm
Keynote Speaker:
Matt Ransdell Jr.
At the age of 19, Matt was offered his first opportunity to speak professionally at a national youth leadership summit and he hasn’t slowed down since. Thirteen years later, Matt has built a national reputation amongst our nation’s youth and adults through speaking, teaching, coaching, and mentoring. Be it at a keynote, group workshops, one-on-one coaching, or Zoom conferences and classes, Matt speaks with love and encouragement for all.
Beyond speaking, Matt also works in the entertainment industry. His career has included regional and national musical theatre tours, TV and film, commercials and voiceovers. Most recently, Matt has served as a director, writer, and producer in the entertainment industry. Both careers not only began at the age of 19, but grew at the same time, and have truly complimented each other over the past 13 years.
Teen Ambassador Sessions:
Emerging Killers
TA Presenter: Alex
Time: 11:00am
You’ve seen them at your school, advertised in your community, and maybe even in your friend groups. Vaping and e-cigarette use is rising rapidly among youth, but what are these emerging killers and what do they look like? In this session, you’ll hear about the emerging products Big Tobacco has lined up to keep youth hooked, how they’ll be marketed, and the impact they can have on your health.
Tobacco and Environmental Concerns
TA Presenters: Kayla & Kevin
Time: 11:40am
You know using tobacco is bad for your health, but what about the health of our planet? What happens to all the cigarette butts and e-cigarette waste that is thrown out and disposed of recklessly? Is secondhand smoke and aerosol dangerous to the environment, too? Not only will you learn about the impact of tobacco products on the environment, but how you can positively influence your own community to help protect our planet.
Day 3: Wednesday
Day three of conference includes three special sessions for adults and sponsors, youth going into 9th – 11th grade and upcoming high school seniors. Join the session listed below that best describes you.
Adult & Sponsor Session: Lead Your Evolution
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Everything changes. Not everything evolves. Every group, team and organization need leaders who can lead the evolution because change is inevitable but evolving is not. Overcoming the adverse reaction to chaos and embracing the struggles that strengthen, allow leaders to help their group evolve. Join this session to learn how you, the leader, can grow, stretch, and evolve as you lead youth and adults in tobacco prevention efforts.
Peers Against Tobacco Virtual Mixer
Time: 11:30am – 12:30pm
So, you are about to be a senior in high school. How exciting! While this coming year will be full of opportunities to make memories, it’s still important to continue your hard work in tobacco prevention. Join the Peers Against Tobacco Mixer to mix and mingle with college students from across the state and discover how you can continue your tobacco prevention efforts while attending college.
Teen Ambassador Application Information Session
Time: 11:30am – 12:30pm
Interested in what it’s like to be a Say What! Teen Ambassador? Passionate about tobacco prevention and teaching and empowering others? Want to get to know the TAs even better? If you said yes to all of these questions, then we want you to join us for the Teen Ambassador Info Session to hear from this year’s TAs and Consultants about their experiences and proudest accomplishments, how and why you should apply, the application process, and anything else you want to know!
You can download and view the application in the conference YAPP app or by visiting the Teen Ambassador webpage.
For more information about downloadable resources, mini-grant kits, and events provided by Say What!, visit TxSayWhat.com, @TxSayWhat via social media or contact Say What! directly at
877-304-2727 or TxSayWhat@txstate.edu
Phone
Toll Free: 877.304.2727
Local: 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.