Hello, my name is Meade Pandya and I am a Junior at Piedra Vista High School. This school year, I had the opportunity to present to more than 200 fourth and fifth grade students at Country Club Elementary through Evolvement New Mexico and 24/7 New Mexico about the dangers of nicotine and vaping. 24/7 works with NM Schools to be 100% tobacco free 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Tobacco prevention is important to me because nicotine addiction can start at a young age and have lasting effects on a person’s health and decision making. I believe that giving students accurate information before they are exposed to these products is one of the best ways to help them make healthy choices in the future.

Throughout the presentation, I was impressed by how engaged the students were. They asked thoughtful questions, participated in discussions, and were genuinely interested in learning how nicotine affects the body and brain. Their curiosity showed me that even younger students are capable of understanding these important topics when they are presented in a way that connects with them.

This presentation was important because prevention works best before a problem begins. Unfortunately, many students will eventually encounter vaping or nicotine products, and providing them with facts now gives them the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions later. Farmington Municipal Schools has been comprehensive in supporting 24/7 policy, and it was encouraging to see how seriously both students and educators took the conversation.

For me, this experience meant more than just giving a presentation. It was an opportunity to make a positive impact in my community and contribute to a cause that I care deeply about. 24/7 supports keeping schools tobacco free and I am grateful for the opportunity to educate these kids. Knowing that over 200 students walked away with a better understanding of the risks of nicotine made the experience incredibly rewarding and strengthened my commitment to helping create a healthier future for New Mexico’s youth.

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