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SUNNY Temp: 64 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Sunday, October 5, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 28, 2003 Local youth battles tobacco Phoenix High senior Tracy Elsmore wins annual award from the American Cancer Society for her efforts By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune A local teen who has been rallying against the use of tobacco, especially by kids her own age, has been chosen to receive the annual "Speakout!" award by the American Cancer Society for the state of Oregon. Phoenix High School senior Tracy Elsmore was chosen for the award last month, said Southern Oregon prevention and education director Randy Butler, because of her commitment to "educate others about reducing the risk of getting cancer through tobacco prevention and healthy lifestyles." Butler nominated the 17-year-old, a fraternal triplet who lives in Medford, after working with her the past four years on local and regional campaigns, including the organization’s signature event, "Relay for Life." "Tracy’s just been on top, on board, doing workshops, presentations. � She’s just really stayed involved in everything," said Butler. "To have youth involved like that is instrumental in the fight against cancer." Advertisement Though she began volunteering with the American Cancer Society four years ago, Tracy said her efforts in educating others about the dangers of tobacco began seven years ago, as a sixth-grader at Talent Middle School. "I just learned about it in the classes they give. Everyone thinks, ‘Oh you had a grandma or someone die from smoking or some story ... but the weird thing is I don’t. I mean, I have family members who smoke and who’ve had cancer but that’s not what got me started. It’s just something I feel really strongly about." Following middle school, Tracy’s involvement grew, including working on local education campaigns to establish citywide anti-smoking ordinances in Central Point, one of the first in the state, and in Ashland. Before her freshman year she traveled to a convention in Seattle representing Tobacco Free Jackson County. Tracy and four other teens then formed R.E.A.L.I.T.Y., a group geared at "Relating, Educating and Lowering Influences of Tobacco on Youth." The group organized presentations at some local schools and hosted a two-day event at Hedrick Middle School. "R.E.A.L.I.T.Y. died unfortunately," said Tracy with a laugh. "But I wanted to keep working so I stayed with Randy (Butler) and got more involved with ACS." For regional use, Tracy helped write and edit the "American Cancer Society Speakout Youth Coalition Guide" and participates on a planning committee for the annual Speakout Summer Summit in Washington for 80 to 100 youths. Turning 18 on Monday, Tracy said she never expected recognition for her efforts but appreciates the pat on the back. "I haven’t done it for any recognition or anything but it was nice to be recognized on a level like that," she said. "I was pretty excited when I found out." The Medford girl plans to continue her work during and after college, where she hopes to major in business management and communications and minor in technical theater. Later this month she will attend a national Relay for Life Youth Summit in Dallas, where she will learn about putting on a local Relay for Life Youth Event to coincide with the annual Relay for Life fund-raiser. "I want to work for ACS," she said. "I really do. Obviously, I’m only 18, but I already know so much about the organization and I’d just really love to be able to be involved with something like that for my career. I just feel like it’s something really important that I want to stay involved in." Buffy Pollock is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times