Hey! My name is Anastasia Meza and I’m an incoming junior at Gadsden high school. This is my second year in Evolvement but my first on the LT, the reason I joined the leadership team was to learn more about Evolvement. 

One of the ways I learned more about the program was by attending the Leadership Team Summit. During the Summit, I’ve learned about networking, leadership, communication and public speaking. We participated in this Networking Event where we got to put our new skills to use and meet members of the community. This was really nervewracking but once we got to actually speaking with them it wasn’t that bad. 

Part of my role of being on the leadership team is to recruit new Evolvers into Evolvement, doing principal meetings (help give the principal resources to help them implement the new 24/7 policy), middle school and elementary school presentations (help educate students about the damage it could do to them) and school board meetings (help encourage the superintendent to enforce the 24/7  policy in the whole district.) At the Summit, we learned just how we can sign up for these participants and how to help the other members at our school feel comfortable participating as well. I am really excited about going back to my school and getting to be an actual leader. My favorite part of this experience was learning the different ways to be a leader and finding a way that works for me. Everyone gets to be their own type of leader which is really cool. 

Being in Evolvement is important to me because I can help make New Mexico healthier. Another reason is I don’t want other high school aged students and younger to use flavored nicotine products. My experience at this summit was amazing and I really recommend it to other Evolvement members. I also want to make an impact on my community and I believe by being in Evolvement and on the leadership team has made a little impact on my community so far. 

Thank you for reading!

Hi, I’m Itzel from Arrowhead Park Early College High School also known as APECHS, and I’ve been part of Evolvement for 2 years now. My journey started with a simple desire to help prevent the use of nicotine and tobacco.  That’s what drew me to Evolvement in the first place.

As a member of the leadership team,  I play a role both in Evolvement and at my high school. One experience that really stands out is when l first attended the training, we went around collecting photo pledge cards to gather other young adults opinions on the topic of Tobacco and Nicotine. It taught me that leadership is deeply rooted in helping and caring for others. Seeing the impact we made on other people’s opinions showed us leaders why it’s important to hear other people out no matter the cause. Nicotine and tobacco have harmful effects , especially on young people today. That’s why it’s important to educate and prevent their use. Through being on the leadership team, I get to help my community be a more safe place. 

The Evolvement training really is a great way to learn how to advocate for a safer place. You get to spend a few hours with the fun staff members and learn what opportunities you can participate in throughout the year and how those opportunities impact the state policies. I really do think it’s a cool opportunity to be able to work on something like policy change because that will impact the entire state. I’ve never had the opportunity to do something on such a big level like this. 

Evolvement has been important to me because it has taught me a lot about tobacco and nicotine prevention and how to use my voice. I hope to continue to learn and help others. The experience has inspired me to work even harder for Evolvement this year , hoping to make an even bigger difference not just in my community but all around me.

  I have done three different trainings with Evolvement and could not be more excited for my fourth and final training with them this year. Having so many opportunities to experience the same training with different people around makes it a different experience entirely. The objective is always the same but seeing the different ways people complete it is always exciting. The different groups of people that come together to complete one objective makes Evolvement a family of different individuals.

     Our objective with training is to educate the new Evolvers on what we advocate for and what they can do to help. It is not often that we get questions because our training slides explain everything thoroughly. But when we do get questions, both the Leadership Team and Evolvement Staff are quick to answer them. We discuss not only what we do and how we do it, but also why this work is important. Training is a really great day to remember why you care about the work we do. Sometimes it’s easy to forget why this work is important since the use of nicotine products is so common, but training really reminds us that it is a problem and that we can actually help.

    At the end of every training we have our survey challenge in which all Evolvers go around the school collecting opinion surveys from their peers. The Evolvers will make groups of three and go around the school during lunch and collect as many surveys as they can. Each person can only take one survey so it becomes a big competition on who can get to them first. Training overall teaches us how to advocate through the slides and through the final challenge where they send us off to advocate for what we believe in. I highly recommend attending a training at your school because it’s a really great way to learn about advocacy in a fun setting. 

My name is Angel DeLuca, I’m in ninth grade, and I just joined Evolvement. I joined Evolvement because I wanted to put it on college applications. It wasn’t too hard to do because I just had to fill out an application and the parent form. I learned about the program when the Evolvement staff came into my health class and did a presentation about it. Their presentation showed me how good this could be for developing skills that will look good on my future resumes. I have some friends who joined Evolvement with me, which has made the work even better because now we can advocate together. 

The training was on site at my school, Eldorado High School, this made it very easy to attend. It was fun because we got to do activities, like a “Would you Rather Questions” and an activity where we got up to pick up a card and walked back with the injury the card showed to teach us about health equity. We got water, a notebook, and a little packet with Evolvement branded things. They also got us Subway and chips for lunch. The people were really nice, and it really was a lot of fun. At the end of the training, we could answer questions about Evolvement and get prizes. I won a $25 Visa gift card because they spun a wheel at the end for the rest of the prizes, and I won the gift card. If you attend training you should expect to get up and move around during the training, especially during lunch when we had to go get people to fill out the pledge forms. Returning Evolvement students should go to the training again because they could meet the new Evolvement members, and they may win prizes while they’re there. It was a very fun experience, and I had a great time.

I learned all of the tactics that tobacco companies use to get people, especially younger people, to buy and use their products. I learned about how many people have used these products and all the different flavors that there are. I had always heard that nicotine and tobacco were really harmful but I didn’t really know why before this training. This training really opened my eyes to seeing how impacted our communities are by the tobacco companies and why this work is so important. 

 So what are site visits? Site visits are when the Leadership Team and Evolvement Staff go from classroom to classroom giving a presentation about what Evolvement is and how to join. Before the day of the Site Visit, we have to go round and ask our teachers if they would be okay with us interrupting their class for the presentation which can be a bit scary but always turns out fine. I’ve found that once our teachers know what the program is about they are very supportive and are willing to let us present. 

     When we first walk into class most students don’t know who we are or what we do. So we have to start the presentation by introducing ourselves and the program. While it can sometimes be difficult to interact with students at first, we do provide the students with Subway which does help get students interested! It can be difficult and very awkward when people are not as engaged as others. When this happens we just have to try our best to be engaging. The Evolvement staff that help us with these presentations have a bunch of tips and tricks to help grab their attention. They help us come up with ways to joke around with the students so that they feel more comfortable. 

     When students are engaged we get a lot of people signing up and asking questions and who are always really interested. It is a really rewarding experience having a class that is interested in what we are doing and getting them to join our important cause.  Finding a class that is interested in this cause can be difficult but it is always worth it in the end. We get a ton of new Evolvers and even more new friends! We want as many people to join Evolvement so that we can have more of a voice. So when we have a successful Site Visit, it feels like we’re taking the first step in helping our community.

Hello! My name is Paiuma Teton, pronounced Pie-You-Ma. I’m a Junior at Arrowhead Park Early College High School and have been in Evolvement for three years, since my Freshman year! I joined Evolvement for many reasons, one being the fact that Evolvement is a youth engagement movement that strives to promote a healthy New Mexico, another is that Evolvement works to encourage all schools to be nicotine and tobacco-free, and lastly, Evolvement gives you the opportunity to earn jaw-dropping rewards for the work you put in, such as scholarships, electronics and anything you can imagine! The process of joining Evolvement is very simple, all you need to do is fill out a 3-5-minute form and get a parent to sign the parent permission form. Easy peasy! In addition, my friends are participating in this club. It makes me feel confident in what’s right and knowing that not only I care for our youth, but others do too, especially my friends! 

Before becoming an Evolvement member, all of us must go through training. Training is where all students who are interested in becoming members will learn how to become a youth advocate and how they can change their community. Training is not as scary as it sounds. It’s an enriching process that is fun, educational, and welcoming! Training at APECHS was in January and was highly successful. Everyone learned new things, we all got to engage in lively discussions plus activities, and then we were rewarded with Subway to satisfy our hunger. Moreover, my favorite part of January’s training was engaging with new people I’ve never talked to!

As I recall January’s training, I realized that the students who came to training were all of different ages and grades and are personally willing to help and teach other New Mexico students and New Mexico as a whole about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine use. As one of the leaders at APECHS, I want to say that Evolvement is a fantastic club that will immerse you in countless opportunities. Take the chance to join Evolvement to meet amazing people and to grow your independent personal goals. 

Hey! I’m a sophomore in high school, and my name is Desarae. Despite this being my first year in Evolvement, I already have quite the impression. I joined for a variety of reasons, including to help out in the community, try something new, add it to my college applications, and hey, the rewards didn’t sound bad either. Signing up was ridiculously easy. I saw Evolvement on a list of extracurriculars, read a little about it, and thought, Why not? No one had to convince me—I just went for it. Now, I’m meeting new people and slowly building friendships with others in the group, which is pretty cool.

At our first meeting, we were introduced to the advisors, our Youth Field Organizer, and the leadership team. We went over the group’s goals, and received a crash course on the effects of smoking and vaping. Next, we learned about the two big campaigns: 24/7 and No Minor Sale. After that, we jumped straight into our first project—going around the school and getting students, teachers, and staff to write down why smoking shouldn’t be allowed on school grounds, and collecting opinion surveys for No Minor Sale. We wrapped up by heading back inside for more info on the group and, of course, the best part—lunch (Subway, if you just so happen to be wondering). The training really stuck with me, especially learning that some smokers don’t just get addicted to nicotine—they also get hooked on the chemicals in the flavors. Kind of wild when you think about it. I know a lot of people that vape because of the flavors so it makes sense that they would cause people to continue using nicotine products.

This experience has already taught me a lot. I’ve learned about public health, especially when it comes to minors, gained leadership skills, and met new people, all while making an impact at my school. If you’re new, expect a welcoming environment (I know, shocking, right?), interesting discussions, and fun projects that actually make a difference. Every training session gives you more tools to create change. And if you’re thinking about joining, just do it! I promise you won’t regret it.

Hi, I’m Andrea, I’m a junior at Cuba High School.  I’ve been a part of Evolvement for the past three years and love the program. Evolvement is a youth led movement, promoting a healthier New Mexico, free of the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine addiction. I truly believe in the work we do because it’s so important to stop the harm Big Tobacco is causing our communities. 

This fight against Big Tobacco matters to me because… Growing up I watched my grandpa’s smoking addiction get worse by the year. I used to get so worked up trying to figure out why he didn’t want to stop smoking for his family but I was never able to comprehend how hard it is to quit smoking, especially if you start at a young age. He started smoking as a teenager, but if he had a resource like Evolvement he could’ve been less likely to start smoking to begin with. 

Personally, I have seen many of my close friends go through this. They constantly go through the same cycle helplessly. They fall into this unhealthy lifestyle due to peer pressure, peer pressure is one of the worst ways addiction begins. Seeing my peers so hopeless made me want to help them in any way I could, which is why I joined Evolvement. I want to make a difference. More teens in New Mexico need to be educated on what nicotine usage does to their bodies. Doing so could help them realize they need to stop depending on nicotine as much and try getting help to start a nicotine-free lifestyle. 

Being in Evolvement has shown me I can use my voice for good and that can lead to positive change not only in my community of Cuba, but across New Mexico. I encourage anyone that cares about their community to join the program because not only is it a fun way to gain a ton of skills, but it also is making a real difference. 

Hola, my name is Talen, but I usually go by Tk. I’m a sophomore at Navajo Preparatory High School in Farmington and this is my second year in Evolvement. I heard about Evolvement when we had an after-school event called “Club Rush”. I heard what Evolvement advocated for and I automatically knew it was something I wanted to join. Raising awareness is something that I strongly believe is right especially when it comes to raising awareness about drug use. Then when I learned that I get to be a part of creating actual change in my community, I knew I had to join. 

Our training happened back in September and we went over our responsibilities, played games, ate subway, and collected surveys. My favorite activity was the survey collecting because I was able to interact with people I don’t usually talk to and inform them on what Evolvement is. Collecting surveys is something you become very familiar with while you’re in the program. We collect surveys at every event we host so that we can compile the opinions of the people from our state. Once we have all of that information about what the people want to see changed, we can bring that information to our decision makers and educate them about what the people care about. I’ve done survey collections at games, council meetings, board meetings, and even at principal meetings.

One memorable opportunity I participated in was an assembly at Crownpoint Elementary School. For this event, I met with Evolvement staff, and worked on a powerpoint presentation. I was excited to educate the young kids on how drug use is a terrible thing to get into. They were very invested in what I had to say, and they had so many questions. It was really great to see that even young kids understand the dangers of tobacco and nicotine. 

Being a member of Evolvement has opened me up to realizing there is a lot more nicotine use than I thought. It also made me realize that it is great to have young advocates striving to bring awareness to small communities and schools. I have also met so many amazing people along the way and Evolvement is something I am willing to stay in because it does not only benefit me, but my community as well.

Being a part of the Evolvement leadership team is a truly unique and rewarding experience. It is a position that comes with great responsibility, but also offers countless opportunities for personal and professional growth. I like being on the Evolvement leadership team for a multitude of reasons, each contributing to my overall satisfaction and growth as a leader. From the opportunities to develop my leadership skills to the ability to make a positive impact on my community, being part of this team has been a truly rewarding experience. 

One of the most notable aspects of being on the Evolvement leadership team is the sense of camaraderie and teamwork that permeates every aspect of the work. Collaboration is key, and each member of the team brings their own unique skills and perspectives to the table. This diversity of thought and experience helps to ensure that decisions are well-rounded and considerate of all viewpoints. This is one of the main reasons I enjoy being on the Evolvement leadership team. Through collaboration with other team members, I have been able to learn new skills, such as effective communication, problem-solving, and decision-making. These skills have not only benefited me in my role on the team but have also been applicable to other aspects of my life, such as my education and future career aspirations. The Evolvement leadership team has provided me with a supportive environment to practice and refine these skills, ultimately making me a more confident and capable leader. 

Additionally, being on the Evolvement leadership team has allowed me to make a tangible impact in my community. By participating in various projects and initiatives, I have been able to promote positive change and influence others to make healthier choices. Whether it be organizing events, conducting outreach campaigns, or advocating for policy change, the work we do as a team directly contributes to creating a healthier and more informed community. Knowing that my efforts are making a difference in the lives of others is incredibly fulfilling and motivates me to continue being an active member of the team. 

Alongside the sense of responsibility and impact, being on the Evolvement leadership team also offers countless opportunities for personal growth and development. Members are constantly challenged to think critically, communicate effectively, and lead with integrity. These skills are not only valuable in a professional setting, but also in everyday life, making the experience of being on the leadership team truly transformative. Being on the Evolvement leadership team has provided me with a sense of belonging. Working alongside like-minded individuals who are passionate about making a difference has fostered a strong sense of community and teamwork. I have formed lasting friendships with my teammates and have found a supportive network of peers who share my values and goals. Being part of this team has not only allowed me to grow as a leader but has also enriched my social and personal life. 

Finally, being on the Evolvement leadership team is a deeply rewarding experience that allows individuals to make a positive difference in the world. By working together towards a common goal, members of the team can achieve great things and leave a lasting impact on the organization and the community it serves. This sense of purpose is what ultimately makes being on the Evolvement leadership team such a unique and worthwhile experience. In conclusion, I like being on the Evolvement leadership team for the invaluable opportunities it has provided me to develop my leadership skills, make a positive impact on my community, and form meaningful connections with my teammates. The experiences and lessons I have gained from being on this team have been invaluable in shaping me into a better leader and a more engaged community member. I am grateful for the chance to be a part of such a dynamic and impactful group and look forward to continuing to grow and contribute as a member of the Evolvement leadership team.