Seminole SWAT Chapter Recruitment Success

On August 8, 2026, the Seminole County Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) Chapter joined families at the Altamonte Springs Mall for the Back-to-School Expo. Organized by IMPOWER on behalf of Seminole County Public Schools, the event ran from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and offered an opportunity to introduce young people to SWAT as they prepared for a new school year.

As visitors stopped by, the educational displays provided a starting point for conversations. Mr. Gross Mouth, the Tar Jar, and Clem Phlegm helped introduce the harmful ingredients and effects associated with tobacco products. These materials gave the team an opportunity to explain why tobacco prevention matters and how young people can help share that message with others. Recruitment flyers offered information families could take home and review later. Throughout these conversations, SWAT youth represented their chapter and introduced peers to opportunities for leadership development, public speaking, community service, and advocacy. Their participation showed visitors that students could take an active role in protecting their generation and supporting healthier communities.

The day also opened doors beyond the recruitment table. Provider staff and SWAT youth connected with three PTA members who had established relationships with local middle and high schools. These conversations created potential pathways for reaching additional students and families. By sharing SWAT information through their school networks and helping identify future outreach opportunities, the PTA contacts could support the chapter’s efforts to grow its membership and strengthen its presence on school campuses.

By the end of the event, seven youth had registered through the statewide SWAT website to receive communications and additional information about joining SWAT. Each registration represented an opportunity to welcome another young person into the chapter. Other visitors left with recruitment materials and an invitation to attend the first SWAT meeting scheduled for September 2026.

For the Seminole County SWAT Chapter, the expo was a step toward building a larger network of engaged youth and supportive community partners. The event produced interest while laying the groundwork for connections. Through education, peer conversations, and continued follow-up, the team worked toward a shared goal: helping more middle and high school students find their place in SWAT and use their voices to create a tobacco-free future.