MSCR at Shabazz promotes anti-smoking
Cameron Welty-Lopez,(12th grade) makes a
handprint, while Laney Shoemaker, Angela Yunker
(12th grade) and Kiera Austin (11th grade) use spray
chalk to convey their message.
handprint, while Laney Shoemaker, Angela Yunker
(12th grade) and Kiera Austin (11th grade) use spray
chalk to convey their message.
By Christina Calcese
The MSCR after school program at Malcolm Shabazz City High School formed a chapter of the
Fight Against Corporate Tobacco (FACT). Through activism and education, participants hope to raise
awareness about the negative consequences of tobacco use. The club evolved as an effort to combat
the stereotype that youth tobacco use is embedded in school culture at Shabazz.
“It’s been good to be part of the non-smoking part of Shabazz and show the community that not
everyone at Shabazz smokes,” says Laney Shoemaker, a senior at Shabazz, and FACT member.
Shabazz is the only high school in Madison to have a chapter of the FACT movement.
This spring, Shabazz students launched a number of activism-oriented activities to bring their
message to the Shabazz community. They designed and spray-painted tee-shirts to spread the FACT
message, chalked messages outside the school building, and placed plastic rats in semi-conspicuous
places throughout the building, as a symbol that additives in cigarettes are akin to rat poison.
On May 13, both houses of the Wisconsin legislature passed the Smoke-Free Wisconsin Act. The
following Monday, Gov. Doyle signed the bill into law. “It’s been great to be a part of something that
made history in Wisconsin and to be independent from those at Shabazz who think smoking is cool,”
says Kiera Austin, a junior and a FACT member.
FACT is Wisconsin’s youth tobacco prevention and control program, funded by the Department of
Health and Family Services. FACT has been successful statewide, in part because it is youth-driven,
and in part because the benefits of joining the movement are more appealing to young people than
smoking cigarettes. Shabazz students hope that by creating a movement at their school as visible as the
presence of tobacco, students who do not smoke will choose not to start, and students who do smoke
may find inspiration and support to quit. For more information, visit www.fightwithfact.com.
FACT is one of several MSCR recreational and enrichment programs at Shabazz; others include art,
current events, gaming, cultural diversity, film and performing arts.
MSCR offers many recreation programs for all ages at affordable prices. Programs include: sports
leagues, arts and enrichment, fitness, cultural events, outdoor adventure, recreational sports, swim
lessons and many other fitness and leisure opportunities. Please call 204-3000 or stop by MSCR at 3802
Regent Street for more information. Or visit MSCR’s website at www.mscr.org. MSCR, a department of
the Madison Metropolitan School District, is a public service recreation department serving the
community since 1926. It is the lead provider of a wide range of accessible programs and leisure
opportunities.
The MSCR after school program at Malcolm Shabazz City High School formed a chapter of the
Fight Against Corporate Tobacco (FACT). Through activism and education, participants hope to raise
awareness about the negative consequences of tobacco use. The club evolved as an effort to combat
the stereotype that youth tobacco use is embedded in school culture at Shabazz.
“It’s been good to be part of the non-smoking part of Shabazz and show the community that not
everyone at Shabazz smokes,” says Laney Shoemaker, a senior at Shabazz, and FACT member.
Shabazz is the only high school in Madison to have a chapter of the FACT movement.
This spring, Shabazz students launched a number of activism-oriented activities to bring their
message to the Shabazz community. They designed and spray-painted tee-shirts to spread the FACT
message, chalked messages outside the school building, and placed plastic rats in semi-conspicuous
places throughout the building, as a symbol that additives in cigarettes are akin to rat poison.
On May 13, both houses of the Wisconsin legislature passed the Smoke-Free Wisconsin Act. The
following Monday, Gov. Doyle signed the bill into law. “It’s been great to be a part of something that
made history in Wisconsin and to be independent from those at Shabazz who think smoking is cool,”
says Kiera Austin, a junior and a FACT member.
FACT is Wisconsin’s youth tobacco prevention and control program, funded by the Department of
Health and Family Services. FACT has been successful statewide, in part because it is youth-driven,
and in part because the benefits of joining the movement are more appealing to young people than
smoking cigarettes. Shabazz students hope that by creating a movement at their school as visible as the
presence of tobacco, students who do not smoke will choose not to start, and students who do smoke
may find inspiration and support to quit. For more information, visit www.fightwithfact.com.
FACT is one of several MSCR recreational and enrichment programs at Shabazz; others include art,
current events, gaming, cultural diversity, film and performing arts.
MSCR offers many recreation programs for all ages at affordable prices. Programs include: sports
leagues, arts and enrichment, fitness, cultural events, outdoor adventure, recreational sports, swim
lessons and many other fitness and leisure opportunities. Please call 204-3000 or stop by MSCR at 3802
Regent Street for more information. Or visit MSCR’s website at www.mscr.org. MSCR, a department of
the Madison Metropolitan School District, is a public service recreation department serving the
community since 1926. It is the lead provider of a wide range of accessible programs and leisure
opportunities.