Published: September 14, 2008 09:48 pm         

Award for Raze

Keyser Primary-Middle School recognized for anti-tobacco program

KEYSER, W.Va. — RESA VIII has recognized the Keyser Primary-Middle School Raze Crew and adult supervisor Heather Hays for their efforts in getting the word out about the dangers of tobacco use.

Raze, a youth-led organization geared toward reducing tobacco use among teenagers, regularly presents programs — called “commotions” — within the schools throughout the year.

For the school year 2007-2008, the KPMS Raze Crew sponsored more than 800 commotions that were registered and evaluated on the Raze Web site. This was more than any other middle school in the multi-county RESA VIII area.

In recognition of their efforts, KPMS was honored at the State Raze On program held recently in Charleston.

According to Donna Kuhn, regional tobacco prevention specialist with RESA VIII, “Commotions are teen-led peaceful demonstrations that draw attentions to the dangers of tobacco and to the lies being told by ‘Big Tobacco.’

“Each school year, Raze crews around the state have been making students, parents and the general public more aware of the dangers of tobacco by making anti-tobacco policy announcements at school and at extracurricular events,” she said.

“They are also going to the elementary schools and teaching younger students about the dangers of tobacco products.

“The work the students do is great,” she said. “They are so passionate about this cause and I hope that the younger students remember that using tobacco is dangerous to their health, as well as to the health of others.”

In working with the students at KPMS for the past three years, Hays also “takes advantage of every opportunity to work with the parents and get them involved,” Kuhn said.

Although statistics show that tobacco use among teens is on the decline, Kuhn said it is still important to continue this fight.

“Nearly 90 percent of smokers begin at or before the age of 18 and more than 5 million kids under the age of 18 in the United States are regular smokers,” she said.

“More than a third of all kids who every smoking a cigarette become regular daily smokers before leaving high school,” Kuhn said.

For further information about Raze, visit www.razewv. com or contact Kuhn at djkuhn @access.k12.wv.us.