In his sport, Penn State wrestler Mark Becks grapples with his opponent in hopes of victory. Recently, however, Becks, along with three other prominent Penn State athletes, looked to pin an even greater adversary: tobacco use.
On Wednesday (Oct 30), Becks, football player Matt Schmitt, and gymnasts Kevin Donohue and Lisa Campagnolo traveled to State College Area High School in order to raise awareness for the STATE Club, a society which encourages a tobacco-free lifestyle among the school's students.
With 12 current members, the STATE Club, which stands for Start Talking About Tobacco Elimination, hopes the appearance of the athletes will help raise awareness for the group, club member Laura Krider said.
"These athletes are seen as role models and healthy individuals, and they could not have achieved the levels of success that they have reached without avoiding tobacco," said Jon Lodge, club advisor and World Cultures teacher.
The athletes, who were selected to attend the high school through the Speakers Bureau, handed out candy and provided interested students with flyers advertising the club's next meeting. The four guests could be seen talking to and teasing with many of the students during the duration of the lunch periods, with Becks and Schmitt even walking through the cafeteria in order to influence possible tobacco abusers.
The publicity coincides with Red Ribbon Week, a period dedicated to increasing the understanding of the killing and destruction caused by drug use.
The Penn State sports personalities, given celebrity treatment, were welcomed by bright lights and news cameras, causing a stir in the rowdy lunch crowd.
The table was soon swarmed like the house in Night of the Living Dead, with students captivated and fascinated by the visitors.
Although interested by the four figures, many students were unaware of the STATE Club's existence, making the appearance even more important, Campagnolo said.
"Of the kids who came up to the table, it seemed like most of them didn't know about the STATE Club," Campagnolo said. "It's nice to raise awareness and spread the word."
By returning to a noisy, congested cafeteria, Becks, Schmitt, Donohue, and Campagnolo hope to have defeated tobacco use at State College Area High School.
