Macon County Fourth and Fifth graders participate each year in Tar Wars, a pro-health, tobacco free education program, and poster contest.
The program is part of the Safe and Drug Free School Program and the Coordinated School Health Program.
The goal of Tar Wars is to discourage tobacco use among Macon County youth. It also provides an opportunity for health care providers, school personnel and community members to form coalitions toward the common goal of discouraging tobacco.
June Spears, Macon County Drug Free program coordinator, organizes the event each year.
The program first began in 1988 in Colorado. The program was launched in an effort to prevent adolescent tobacco addiction and help fifth grade students understand the tactic employed by tobacco companies to persuade them to use tobacco products.
Each year a poster contest is held and winners from each school are announced.
The poster winners were judged on a county level and the winners were then judged on a state level.
The local winner was Chelesa Powers from Westside Elementary School. Her poster was sent to Nashville to be judged were she received an honorable mention and a $50 cash prize.
The mission of Tar Wars is to educate children about being tobacco free, thereby providing them with the tools to make positive decisions regarding their health and to promote personal responsibility for their well being.
If you would like to become involved in the Tar Wars program contact June Spears at the Macon County Board of Education.
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