Reality Check Thanks Graduating Seniors

NYS Health Department Commissioner Antonia Novello(L) awards Sean Coppens (R) of Owego a Certificate of Recognition for his outstanding contribution to the Reality Check program as a member of the statewide board of directors. 

 This year a number of graduates of Tioga County schools are heading off to college who have contributed to a program called Reality Check, a statewide youth-led movement against the tobacco industry that exposes the deceptive marketing practices of tobacco companies. These youth have been a part of an exciting time in tobacco control, having just been part of promoting the new expanded Clean Indoor Air law and having been part of the initial years of Reality Check, which has had much early success in starting to change the social norms and attitudes about tobacco.

 This year's senior participants include the following Tioga County youth: From Owego/ Apalachin: Sean Coppens, Alex Foster, Adam Gildea, Paul Gildea, Nelson Hopkins, Steve Karas, Chad Kemak, Mike Merrill, J. Wesley Schweitzer. From Spencer: Jodi Bailey. From Waverly: Pat Gillette, Jennifer Johnson, Ryan Peterson. 

 There are some standout seniors within this group. Gillette has been instrumental in getting the Waverly Reality Check chapter up and running, and they have since hosted some of Tioga Reality Check's most successful events. Foster has contributed outstanding artwork to "Outside the Box," Tioga Reality Check's Œzine, and his artwork has also been picked up by a statewide Reality Check publication. Karas and Merrill have acted as media spokespeople for RC over the past year. Paul Gildea has served as Webmaster for www.tiogarc.com for a year now and has started doing Web sites for businesses and other Reality Check Web sites throughout the state. Coppens has sat on a statewide Reality Check Board of Directors, working closely with New York State Department of Health Staff and youth from all over the state to guide the Reality Check movement and make major decisions about Reality Check statewide activities. He was recently honored at a ceremony in Lake George by State Health Commissioner Antonia Novello.

 Many thanks go out to these youth from Tioga Reality Check staff. Reality Check is a program that relies heavily on youth leaders who can work independently and help engage other youth. These youth have demonstrated this and their work is greatly appreciated by Tioga Reality Check Staff.

 For more information about Reality Check, please contact Heather or Desiree at (607) 687-8606. If you leave a message, someone will return the call as soon as possible.