For immediate release: Winooski students hold a masquerade dance to "reveal the truth" about tobacco

The Winooski Teen Center, Winooski Coalition for a Safe and Peaceful Community, and the Winooski PTO are collaborating on six student internships that work to educate the community about tobacco, while encouraging substance-free public places and events.

Tobacco companies bombard the American public—while targeting youth in particular—with messages that normalize smoking and use of other tobacco products.  As such, 3,000 people nationally will become new smokers each day as reported by the Vermont Department of Health.

In an effort to spread the word about the harmful effects of tobacco, two middle school interns Shennelle Bailey and Abdishakuur Gure are collaborating with the Winooski School District to organize a masquerade dance with an anti-tobacco theme for youth in grades 6-8. The Anti-Tobacco Masquerade Dance Party is "a way to give teens awareness about tobacco," says Winooski Middle School student Shennelle Bailey.

The “Revealing the Truth Behind Tobacco” masquerade dance party will be held in the Winooski School cafeteria on Friday, April 4, from 6:00-9:00 pm.  After receiving a mask, eating pizza, and dancing, youth will watch a short, student-created film about tobacco advertising and product-placement. Once the truth behind tobacco is "revealed,”students will remove their masks and continue enjoying this fun, substance-free event. 

Contact either Sarah Petrokonis at 717.330.4765 or Kate Nugent at 802.655.4565.