Dozens of Earl. L Vandermeulen High School students took part in a full day of training about the health effects of vaping and nicotine. Taught by Bonnie Anderson and John Martin, educators from the Suffolk County Department of Health’s Office of Health Education, the peer education, interactive format will help these student leaders share the lessons they learned to other students in both the high school and Port Jefferson Middle School.

The students viewed a Powerpoint presentation, were educated on the negative effects of electronic cigarettes, refusal skill development, learned about resources they can share and worked together to create improvisational vignettes, which they will continue to practice and refine to be ready to present to their peers.

“The more we educate our students, the more empowered they are to make positive decisions,” school social worker Kristin Britt said.