Local students accept role model challenge

Authored by Jim Langham on Aug 30, 2010

For Adams Central leader Zan Smith, there is one area of life that is more important to her than popular roles in school. Smith, a cheerleader and very successful swimmer at AC, is most concerned that she leads younger students by having a proper attitude and role model.
These days Smith is cheering for the Fighting Jets in a cheerleader uniform, but later in the season, she will be representing the Adams County Anti-Tobacco coalition as a student role model for her school in the sport of swimming.
While Smith is representing AC, Sam Amstutz is standing up for South Adams in track and field, and Jessica Lee represents Bellmont in the soccer program.
The role model program locally is sponsored by the First Bank of Berne, Bixler Insurance, and the county health department.
“It is very important to me to show a healthy lifestyle to the kids around us,” said Smith. “They’re looking up to everything that we do. I can remember when I was younger that I would look up to kids in sports. If we can impress that on them now, they will make healthy choices when they are adults.”
Smith, who is also committed to the schools’ Substance Abuse Awareness Program, said that she has been impressed by the example of Athletic Director Rick Minnich in the importance of being someone that students can look up to.
“In my sport (swimming) you have to lead a healthy lifestyle in order to be a good athlete,” said Smith. “You can’t be a good athlete and be involved with smoking, drugs and alcohol. And it is just as important to be healthy in life by not becoming involved in them.”
“I realize the importance of being the proper image that kids can look up to,” said Amstutz, a football player at South Adams. “I know the importance of not using drugs, tobacco or alcohol. I want to be a good role model to the kids around me.”
Amstutz said that he realized the importance of not smoking when his grandfather suffered a smoke, due, at least in part, to smoking.
“You never know how it (smoking and alcohol) is going to affect you,” Amstutz said. “When I was younger on Friday nights, I always looked up to football kids. Now I am the one that kids are looking up to.”
Beth Ralston, representing the Anti-Tobacco coalition said that the role model kids are chosen because they are well-known and proven examples to those about them.
“It’s not something they start when they are chosen to be role models. They are chosen because they’ve already been examples all along,” said Ralston. “It’s not something they have to put forth an effort to do; they believe so strongly in not drinking and smoking that it just comes natural for them.”
Ralston said that student role models understand the health dangers of abusing their bodies through drugs and alcohol. Throughout the school year, they occasionally make guest appearances in the lower grades, as well as living the role model image constantly.
Barry Humble, also representing the Anti-Tobacco Coalition referred to the role models as, “the cream of the crop.”
“Young people like this put a feather in the cap of our county’s good standing in tobacco abstinence,” said Humble. “These are all quality kids; they took a stand against drinking and smoking long before they received this honor. They live quality lifestyles that can be recognized for their positive approach to life.
“Student athlete role models are cream of the crop kids that are called upon to help make a difference in the future health practices of their peers,” added Humble. “Every year their are kids that decide not to smoke or practice habits that endanger their health because of the influence of these kids.”

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Tags: Adams Central high school Role Models Sam Amstutz south adams Zan Smith



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