Chickasaw Teen Serves on the ISTEP Executive Council

NEWS RELEASE

January 1,2024

Chickasaw Teen Serves on the ISTEP Executive Council

The Iowa Students for Tobacco Education and Prevention (ISTEP) is excited to share that Annabelle B. from St. Joseph Community School serves on the ISTEP Executive Council. ISTEP is a statewide movement of young people, in grades 7-12, who are stepping up to take action against tobacco and nicotine, including vaping.

Led by youth, with the support of adults, ISTEP provides an opportunity for youth to develop their skills as leaders to make a difference in their communities and throughout the state. It is not all hard work, the youth and adults have a lot of fun too.

ISTEP Executive Council members are the voice of youth at the statewide level. To join the Executive Council, Annabelle submitted an application to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Applications are reviewed and approved by the current Executive Council members.

"I serve on the ISTEP Executive Council because I want to teach people about what nicotine does to your body—I don’t want to see the people I care about suffer from addiction," said Annabelle when asked about her motivation for applying for this incredible opportunity.

Annabelle will be a voice for ISTEP and serve as a tobacco and nicotine free role model among her peers. Executive Council members plan the ISTEP Summit and interactive events for ISTEP chapters statewide to facilitate at the local level. The ISTEP Summit is an annual event that brings ISTEP chapters together from across the state to learn about tobacco and nicotine prevention, meet other ISTEP members and have fun.

ISTEP is funded by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. To learn more about ISTEP, visit hhs.iowa.gov/istep. If you have specific questions about the program, contact Jill Wright at

jill.wright@hhs.iowa.gov