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November 29, 1999
(Health and Community Services)


Teen Tobacco Team members announced

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Health and Community Services, announced today the 10 young people from all over the province who will make up the province's Teen Tobacco Team. The team will be a voice for all young people in Newfoundland and Labrador on how to tackle tobacco issues. They will work with the minister, Department of Health and Community Services officials and the Alliance for the Control of Tobacco (ACT) to provide input and consultation in developing a Youth Tobacco Strategy for the province.

The 10 members of the Teen Tobacco Team are: Josh Furneaux (St. John's, age 13, MacDonald Drive Junior High); Jeremy Babstock (St. John's, age 17); Kathy Reddy (St. John's, age 16); Victoria Burry (Clarenville, age 15); Jennifer Graham (Burin, age 13); Tara Young (Springdale, age 15); Craig Loder (Sop's Arm, age 14); Shirley Hill (NorthWest River, age 17); Rachel Luther (St. Lewis, Labrador, age 17); and Christopher Sheppard (Postville, age 14).

The Department of Health and Community Services asked several community organizations to each make a recommendation from among youths they deal with to sit on the Teen Tobacco Team. The efforts of these organizations have proved invaluable. The dynamic group represents all segments of the youth population, and includes non-smokers and former smokers who have committed themselves to addressing tobacco issues.

"As I said two weeks ago when I announced the formation of the Teen Tobacco Team, it is very important to discuss tobacco issues directly with our young people if we are going to develop effective strategies for dealing with smoking among youth," said the minister. "More importantly, the province's Teen Tobacco Team will ensure that the work to reduce youth smoking in this province will remain focused, realistic and effective."

The announcement of the Teen Tobacco Team members is timely as government and ACT today released the Provincial Tobacco Reduction Strategy. The work on the youth component of this strategy will unfold over the coming months with the assistance of the new team.

Media contact: Glenn Bruce, (709) 729-1377.

 

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TEEN TOBACCO TEAM PROFILES

CRAIG LODER (Western Region - Health & Community Services)

  • grade nine student at Sop's Arm Central High School
  • athlete of school volleyball, ping pong, and hockey
  • musician (guitar)
  • member of Youth Band, Teen for Christ Youth Group, secretary - student council 
  • attended Student Leadership Conference (1999)
  • representing Allied Youth

RACHEL LUTHER (Grenfell Region - Health & Community Services)

  • grade 12 high school student of St. Lewis Academy - St. Lewis, Labrador
  • a participant in the tutor for tuition program, desktop publisher for community newsletter, chairperson of the Southeastern Aurora Youth Council, member of the Provincial Youth Council
  • member of the Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador's Youth (F.I.N.A.L.Y.)
  • representing Community Youth Networks

KATHY REDDY (St. John's Region - Health & Community Services)

  • grade 11 student at Holy Heart of Mary High School in St. John's
  • member and past president of the Keystone Club at the Boys and Girls Club, member of the Provincial Youth Council, "girl of the year" - St. John's Boys and Girls Club, athlete and volunteer
  • representing Boys and Girls Clubs of Newfoundland and Labrador.

JENNIFER GRAHAM (Eastern Region - Health & Community Services)

  • grade nine student at Father Berney Intermediate in Burin
  • contributor to school newspaper, server in church, co-owner of craft business - Woodworker's Paradise (Youth Ventures), Pathfinder, swimmer, creative writer
  • representing Girl Guides of Newfoundland and Labrador

SHIRLEY HILL (Labrador Region - Health & Community Services)

  • a grade 12 student of Peenemin McKenzie High School in Sheshashiu, Labrador
  • athlete in volleyball, badminton, gymnastics and table tennis
  • member of school student council
  • participated in Science Olympics
  • a reader and writer of poetry
  • babysitter
  • representing Labrador Health and Community Services - Labrador Region

JEREMY BABSTOCK (St. John's Region - Health & Community Services)

  • a grade 12 student of Booth Memorial High School in St. John's
  • attended two Provincial Student Leadership conferences
  • member of school soccer, volleyball and basketball teams
  • past member of Booth Memorial student council
  • plays soccer at an elite level (locally and provincially)
  • interest in fitness and computer technology
  • representing St. John's Health and Community Services

VICTORIA BURRY (Eastern Region - Health & Community Services)

  • grade 11 student at Clarenville High School
  • qualified lifeguard (Bronze Medallion & Bronze Cross)
  • involved in drama, music and figure skating
  • past member of the student council
  • attended conferences on Student Leadership and Teen Suicide Prevention
  • representing Eastern Health and Community Services - Eastern Region

JOSH FURNEAUX (St. John's Region - Health & Community Services)

  • grade seven student at MacDonald Drive Junior High in St. John's
  • heavily involved in Cadets
  • member of school band
  • representing Big Brothers and Big Sisters

TARA YOUNG (Central Region - Health & Community Services)

  • grade 10 student at Indian River High School in Springdale
  • member of the local Boys and Girls Club, Girl Guides, and Figure Skating
  • executive member of the Church Youth Group
  • 90 per cent plus average since grade seven; won numerous academic awards
  • volunteer in children's church group
  • athlete in soccer, volleyball, basketball, badminton, and table tennis
  • nominated three times for female athlete of the year in Springdale
  • lover of animals - has three dogs and three cats, one horse
  • representing Central Region - Health and Community Services

CHRISTOPHER SHEPPARD (Labrador Region - Health & Community Services)

  • a grade nine student of B.L. Morrison All Grade School in Postville, Labrador
  • member of the Labrador Inuit Health Commission
  • participant in regional drama festival and sports meets
  • outgoing and active in outdoor activities
  • representing the Labrador Inuit Health Commission

Teen Tobacco Team picture (Adobe Acrobat format)

1999 11 29 12:55 p.m.


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