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I’m Mia Vizueth, and I’m a junior at Stilwell High School. For the past two years, I’ve been part of an amazing program called YAHL, which stands for Youth Action for Health Leadership. YAHL brings together students from all over Oklahoma who are just as fired up about making a difference as I am. It’s honestly one of the coolest things I’ve ever been part of.

Every YAHL group has a Youth Field Organizer (YFO), who’s like a coach and mentor. They go above and beyond to help us grow as leaders and make real change happen. Whether it’s in elementary, middle or high schools, we’re getting out there to spread the word about health advocacy, and we even take it to the community level. However, the highlight of every year has to be the Summit!

Summit is a huge summer event held in Oklahoma City where we all come together to level up our skills. We learn things like public speaking, connecting with people and stepping up as leaders. These aren’t just lessons for YAHL—they’re life-changing skills we can carry into our future careers, college and beyond. We learn to be responsible, respectful, open-minded, and—most importantly—confident in who we are and what we stand for.

I joined YAHL because I’ve always wanted to make a difference. I see so many issues that impact teens like me, and I refuse to just sit back and let them continue. I’m passionate about standing up to big tobacco companies and protecting my generation from harmful products that target us. It’s not just about saying no to smoking or vaping—it’s about making sure our schools and communities are places where we can thrive. That means getting proper nutrition, access to clean water, and the physical activity we need to stay healthy.

YAHL has given me the tools to not just talk about these problems but to actually do something about them. That’s why I’m all in. Together, we can create a better Oklahoma—one that supports teens and protects our future!

Hi, my name is Katherine Jones, and I’m a senior at Westville High School. For the past four years, I’ve had the privilege of being part of Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL), and this year marks my third on the Leadership Team. YAHL has been an experience that has shaped not just my high school years but also the person I am today.

When I first joined YAHL, I joined for the promise of free food and the chance to skip class. But what started as a simple way to get out of class turned into a passion for making a difference. I soon realized that YAHL was more than just an extracurricular activity; it was a movement of young people like me who are determined to create healthier communities across Oklahoma.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in a variety of events and opportunities. Some of my favorite experiences have been the Leadership Team Summit and the school trainings we conduct. The Summit is something I look forward to every year—it’s four days of excitement and learning. We gather from all over the state, and it’s amazing how quickly we form bonds with each other. We spend our days developing public speaking skills, learning how to advocate for health in our communities and most importantly, building confidence in ourselves and each other. There’s nothing quite like being in a room full of like-minded people who are all hyping each other up. It’s a feeling that stays with you long after the Summit is over.

The school trainings are another highlight for me. There’s something incredibly powerful about sharing what I’ve gained through YAHL with my peers. When I stand in front of a room full of other high school students, I’m not just talking at them—I’m connecting with them, sharing my story and hopefully inspiring them to take action too. I joined YAHL partly because my parents started smoking at a young age, and now they’re struggling to quit. It’s tough, and I don’t want any of my peers to have to go through that. Knowing that I can make even a small difference in someone’s life is what drives me to keep going.

Beyond the bigger health issues, I’ve also become passionate about smaller improvements that can make a big difference in my school. For example, I’ve been advocating for better food options in our school cafeteria. It’s frustrating to see salad with wilted lettuce and toppings that aren’t even refilled between the junior high and high school lunches. This year, one of my goals is to implement a policy at my school requiring water filters to be changed every six months. Dirty water shouldn’t be something we have to worry about, and I want to make that a reality for my school.

As I head into my senior year, I have been appreciating everything YAHL has done for me a little more recently. I’ve grown so much, not just as a leader, but as a person. The skills I’ve gained are things I’ll carry with me long after I leave high school. 

YAHL is such an amazing group to be a part of. If you have a chance to be a part of YAHL I definitely recommend it. If you’re looking for a way to get involved, YAHL is the place to be.

My name is Olivia, but everyone calls me Livy. I’m from Oktaha, Oklahoma. If you don’t know where that is, it’s near Muskogee. I’m a member of YAHL (Youth Action for Health Leadership) and am honored to be on the leadership team. I feel really lucky to have such a great youth field organizer, Hannah Perry.

Being part of YAHL has given me the chance to make a difference in my school community. I’ve organized two Elevate Student Health events at my school. Elevate Student Health is one of the YAHL campaigns focused on improving the overall well-being of students. This includes ensuring schools have clean drinking water, healthier concession options, and more time for physical activity during the school day.

When I held my first event, I was pretty nervous. I got to the location early and set up the table myself. Luckily, a friend offered to help me take surveys. That night, we managed to get more than 25 people to take the Elevate Student Health survey. The second event went even better. Another YAHL member from my school reached out, and we decided to hold an event during lunch at Oktaha High School. We discussed the importance of the Elevate Student Health campaign and collected even more surveys than at the first event.

Being part of YAHL has been a journey for me. Initially, when I signed up, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to participate in the program. After hosting my first event, I changed my mind. I realized how important the YAHL program is and how much of a difference it can make. Now, I’m grateful to be part of it.

Through YAHL, I’ve learned so many valuable skills. I’ve gained confidence, improved my public speaking, and even learned how to make conversation with new people. These are skills I never thought I’d develop so quickly.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about the future. Next year, I hope to hold more events at my school and participate in Take Down Tobacco Day. I want to continue making a positive impact and helping my fellow students lead healthier lives. Being part of YAHL has been an incredible experience, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

My name is Aaliyah Larson, and I’m currently a sophomore attending Stilwell High School. I joined YAHL in 2022, marking my first year on the YAHL Leadership Team. Being on the Leadership Team has provided an invaluable opportunity, enabling me to make new connections, practice my public speaking skills and make positive changes within my city and state.

Among the activities I engaged in this year, Swap Up Day stands out as a highlight. During lunch, we hosted a game where participants could “swap up” less nutritious foods for healthier options. By playing the game, students at my school could learn about which foods help you feel more energized, help you feel stronger or help you have better focus. It was great to see so many of my peers excited about this event.

Another opportunity I participated in was a presentation I did with another YAHL member. Together, we presented the CounterAct Tobacco campaign to local law enforcement, shedding light on the dangers of underage vaping and the necessity for improved policies that protect youth. Additionally, we hosted an event at a softball game, where we educated our community about the Elevate Student Health campaign. Through survey collection, we learned more about our school community’s perspectives on healthy food options and physical activity within our school environment.

I joined YAHL to learn more about  how to improve student health. Vaping is a big problem in my community. Many teens my age vape because it is exceedingly easy to access them, including through social media. Another concern is the accessibility of unhealthy foods. Through YAHL, my aim is to advocate for the incorporation of healthy food options and increased physical activity in schools.My school only requires one year of physical activity, which falls below the recommended level for my age group.

In conclusion, I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the YAHL program and am eager to make a difference in my community.