HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-08-2006 Mayor Luecke Presents Anti-Smoking Posters at Washington High School �SflUTg 8�
O �d
U
y PEACE
r"
r +�
I865
MEDIA RELEASE
Friday, December 8, 2006
Contact: Mikki Dobski, Director, Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564
Lynn Coleman, Assistant to the Mayor, 235-5854
Mayor Luecke Presents Anti-Smokine Posters
to Washington Hieh School
As part of his commitment to building a Healthy City and to supporting South Bend's
youth, Mayor Steve Luecke will present 250 anti-smoking posters to Washington High School,
during pre-game ceremonies before Friday evening's home Varsity Girls' Basketball Game. The
posters,which feature Washington High School Varsity Girls' Basketball forward Ashley
Varner,were produced by SmokeFree Indiana and the Indiana High School Athletic Association,
as part of the IHSAA's Role Model Program. Washington High School received 200 posters at
the start of the program, but soon ran out as demand exceeded the supply. Mayor Luecke
purchased and donated the additional posters to highlight the importance of students' choices in
building a healthy community, and to recognize the role that positive extracurricular activities
like basketball can play in the choices students make.
"I commend Ashley for her commitment to her studies and her team, and for her
commitment to staying smoke-free," commented Mayor Luecke. "I also congratulate Principal
McCullough and Coach Coddens on creating an atmosphere and providing opportunities where
students can make the choices that will help them to be healthy, successful, involved members of
our community. Extracurricular activities like athletics, the arts, and service organizations
- more -
provide our students with a sense of achievement and purpose that goes beyond conformity to
peer pressure. I urge the youth of our community to say `no' to tobacco and other addictive and
harmful substances, and to say `yes' to your future by finding your passion and pursuing it. Take
advantage of the great extracurricular opportunities offered to you by your schools, churches,
parks, and other neighborhood organizations, and help to build a successful future and a Healthy
City."
Mayor Luecke will present the posters to Washington High School Principal George
McCullough, Girls' Basketball Coach Marilyn Coddens, and Ashley Varner. The posters will be
distributed by the school to students and supporters. "We are very grateful to Mayor Steve for
his support and for providing these posters for us," said Mr. McCullough. "We are exceedingly
proud of Ashley, Coach Coddens, and the entire team for the example of hard work, moral
character, and excellence that they represent to their peers and the community."
As part of the IHSAA's Role Model Program, Smoke-Free Indiana contacted high school
athletic directors across the state for nominations of student athletes to represent the anti-tobacco
message in their schools and communities. Ashley Varner was nominated by Washington H.S.
Athletic Director Patrick Mackowiak on the basis of her strong academic achievement and
athletic performance, excellent citizenship, and positive decision-making skills. Ashley is
featured on the poster, as well as in public service television ads and on trading cards, declaring
that"The only thing I light up is the scoreboard." In addition,Ashley was one of twenty Role
Models chosen and trained to be a speaker-activist, to educate local elementary and intermediate
students on the importance of staying away from addictive substances.
- 30 -