A New Leader Making an Impact at Innovation High School

This quarter in Orange County, one of the SWAT clubs experienced an exciting “passing of the guard,” as Innovation High School welcomed a new SWAT advisor, Sylvia Sanchez. In just her first quarter in the role, Sylvia has demonstrated a strong commitment to the SWAT mission and has quickly become a driving force behind the club’s growth and engagement within her school.

From the beginning, Sylvia has taken ownership of her role and encouraged her student leadership team to approach their work with purpose. She has challenged students to be organized, establish clear goals, and develop strategies to achieve them. Her leadership has helped create an environment where students are not only learning about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine use, but are also taking an active role in educating their peers and advocating for a healthier school community.

One of the club’s first major accomplishments under Sylvia’s leadership was creating an article for Innovation High School’s daily news program. The students used the opportunity to educate their peers about the dangers of teen vaping while also introducing students to SWAT and highlighting ways they can get involved. This allowed the club to reach a large audience and demonstrated that students themselves can be powerful voices in tobacco and nicotine prevention.

The club also participated in Innovation High School’s Club Rush, providing students with an opportunity to connect directly with their peers and recruit new members. The event generated significant interest, with more than 25 students expressing interest in SWAT and being invited to attend the club’s first meeting.

Sylvia played a vital role throughout the event, working alongside her student leaders, and encouraging them to confidently engage with their peers. Rather than simply speaking for the club, she empowered her student leaders to take the lead, answer questions, share their experiences, and help potential members understand what SWAT is all about.

Sylvia’s first quarter as an advisor demonstrates the impact that dedicated adult leadership can have on a student-led prevention program. Her enthusiasm, organization, and willingness to empower students have helped Innovation High School’s SWAT club build momentum and create new opportunities for student engagement. As the club continues to grow, Sylvia is helping develop the next generation of student advocates who can make a meaningful difference in their school and community.