Over 20 school-aged children from Carter and Washington counties are preparing to make the next step in encouraging their peers to steer clear from tobacco usage.

Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition was bustling with excitement Thursday morning as students arrived to register for the 2017 TNSTRONG Conference, previously known as the FACT Summit, which takes place August 12 on the University of Tennessee – Knoxville campus.

Students from Chattanooga to Mountain City will be part of the event, according to Carter County Health Department Tobacco Settlement Educator Kelli Humphreys. A change-up from last year’s inaugural FACT Summit is that there will be three separate conferences for East, West and Central Tennessee to allow a more cohesive learning experience for children.

The Health Department is partnering with Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition for the endeavor and the excitement is nothing out of the ordinary for Jilian Reece, coalition director.

Reece helped spearhead last year’s trip, which saw 13 students participate, and added this year is looking to be even better.

“Last year we sent 13 students and they just consistently amaze me with what they come up to do in this community,” Reece said. “I never would’ve dreamed the stuff they’ve been able to put in place. The students have done some real amazing things. It has been a fantastic opportunity for them and great opportunity for me as drug prevention coalition director to have these kids in place, working with their peers. Everybody knows the teenagers aren’t going to listen to me like they would with each other.”

Carter County representative Reece Townsend is no stranger to the activities and added it’s been a joy to work alongside the new students.

“It has been really fun,” Townsend said. “I’ve talked with them about what we’ll be able to do once we get back. Go out to different football games or baseball games and talk with our friends about not using tobacco products. It’ll be a fun trip and I’m excited about what’s coming up.”

Townsend and other members of the inaugural class have been able to receive over 1,000 pledges from their peers within the community who are saying they will steer clear from tobacco products. The students have also been active in the community addressing different organizations and taking part in the CCDP Teen Board.

Addressing tobacco cessation was one of the reasons to join the movement, according to Eli Preswood. A student at Cloudland High, Preswood said he was excited about what’s ahead for the conference.

“It’s been pretty awesome,” Preswood said about the experience so far. “I see tobacco use in the high school and I’m hoping to come up with ways to stop it and encourage my friends not to use it as much.”

Preswood added he’s excited to come back to the area and talk with his friends to steer clear from tobacco usage and implement different plans learned from the conference.

The smiles from the students was a bit infectious, according to Humphreys.

“It’s been exciting getting the kids ready for the conference,” Humphreys said. “Seeing the excitement on their faces makes this all worthwhile.”

Reece added students will be able to learn about advocacy at the conference and how to address elected officials. Students will also have the opportunity to bolster their public speaking skills.