Lake Central students honored for peer-led vaping-prevention videos; county group cites recent tobacco tax increase

Lake Central High School students and their teacher were recognized June 16 during a Lake Central School Corporation Board of Trustees meeting for producing peer-to-peer videos about the risks of vaping that will be used locally and nationally.

The recognition came from Irene Boone Phillips, tobacco prevention coordinator for Tobacco Free Lake County, who presented certificates and a letter from the Indiana Department of Health. "When we empower our youth to use their talents and passions, teach them leadership skills, and give them opportunities for expression, we get amazing results," Phillips said as she introduced the students.

The board was shown samples of the videos created by Leah Fletcher, Madison (Maddie) Kaposi, Emily Humyak and Morgan McCloskey and heard a letter from the Indiana Department of Health praising their work. The letter read in part: "These students created videos [that] were not only informative and engaging, but also carried a powerful message encouraging their peers to avoid harmful substances and instead seek help and support when needed." The letter was signed by Shirley Debose, regional program director, Division of Tobacco Prevention and Cessation, Indiana Department of Health.

Irene Boone Phillips told the board Tobacco Free Lake County expects the videos to be used beyond the district: "Those videos are going to be used on a national basis. So not only are we gonna be using them locally, but they would be used because it is so important that we develop and we allow our teams to develop peer to peer messaging because we know that's gonna be the most effective message."

Phillips also read a second letter addressed to the district and Superintendent Dr. Viracco that thanked the school and cited recent state action: "Tobacco Free Lake County wish to express a special thank you for your support and advocacy work throughout the years that led up to the Indiana state legislator voting to raise the tobacco tax by $2 as of 07/01/2025," the letter said. The board was told the increase includes additional tax changes on other tobacco products and that the coalition sees the tax change as an evidence-based policy to reduce youth tobacco initiation and raise revenue for the state.

Board members and district staff congratulated the students and the teacher who supervised the project. Board President Mrs. Seuss told the students, "Great job. Very impressive." The students were given copies of the department letter and the district said it will include the videos in its resources and add credits naming the student producers.

The recognition item was informational; there was no formal board vote tied to the presentation.

The board meeting continued with routine business including consent and regular agenda items.