The Bakersfield Voice

By: Courtesy of Kern County Superintendent of Schools

What does a high school senior, a movie producer and a famous football player have in common? They have all found ways to keep smoking tobacco out of their lives, and on Nov. 1 shared how they do it with middle and high school students at the 10th American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout Mock News Conference. Held at the Kern County Superintendent of School’s (KCSOS) Office in Bakersfield, the event brought together a panel of experts on the harmful effects of tobacco use and dozens of health education, prevention education, journalism and TV production students seeking information for a myriad of related projects.

Each year the local cancer society, KCSOS and the Kern County Tobacco Use Prevention Education Program present the event to give students real-world experience. Almost a dozen student-operated video cameras were in strategic positions inside the large conference room where the news conference took place. Two directors sat behind monitors, using electronic switchers to cut back and forth between camera shots. One, working for KCSOS, produced live streaming video for the Internet and the other, a student working with a Liberty High School production class, videotaped the show for a variety of future classroom projects.

Pens were out among those sitting in the audience. The rustle of legal pad paper was the only sound that occasionally competed with the messages being delivered by panelists Diana McDermott, Bruce Royer and Michael Stewart. Each had a story to tell. McDermott, a senior at Liberty High, debater and Teens Against Tobacco Use participant, had the opportunity to influence the audience made up of her peers.

“I just want to let them know they have a voice and can be heard no matter what age,” McDermott said. “They can use their message, just as I am, to make a difference.”

Stewart, a retired, 10-year veteran NFL defensive back with the Los Angeles Rams and Miami Dolphins, said he turned away from tobacco because he saw the negative effect it had on his parents. His involvement in athletics also played a role.
“As an athlete in school, the student body does tend to follow what you do, and, therefore, it is your responsibility not to go down the wrong path,” Stewart said.

Royer, president of Royer Studios Inc., developed the California Teen Advocates for Safe and Tobacco-Free Schools campaign. One student in the audience wanted to know what it takes to make a commercial or public service announcement that can create an impact.

“It’s all about a great story idea, told with either humor or drama,” Royer said. “It also must include a twist at the end, changing the direction away from the way the audience has been steered leading up to that point.”

Liberty High School sent its varsity baseball team to the conference.

“I think tobacco ads intended to get teens and younger people involved in smoking are wrong,” said Liberty High baseball player Ruffie Fessler. “Instead the media should be concentrating on showing young adults how to stay away from tobacco use.”

Many opinions were given and ideas shared over the course of the almost three hour news conference. When it ended, many began another process that could influence their peers. The Kern County Tobacco Free Coalition offered an incentive — two $25 cash prizes will be awarded to students who write the best stories about the news conference and another $25 to the student(s) who produce the best video. Still others were offered the opportunity to submit their stories for consideration to The Bakersfield Californian, The Northwest Voice and The Southwest Voice newspapers.