Pineywoods Community Academy Graduate Earns National Award

Kellen Kruk, of Lufkin, has been named a Youth Advocate of the Year by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Kellen was honored for his leadership in the fight against tobacco last Thursday night in Washington, D.C.

Whether it’s speaking at press conferences, testifying at committee hearings, conducting media interviews or meeting with local businesses, Kruk has been remarkably effective at communicating the public health benefits of enacting a Tobacco 21 law in Texas that was recently sent to Gov. Gregg Abbot for his signature.

Kellen Kruk and other youth advocates from across the country were honored at the Campaign for Tobacco- Free Kids’ annual awards gala last Thursday night in Washington, DC. The winners received scholarships to continue their tobacco prevention efforts and will serve as youth ambassadors for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Kruk just recently graduated from Pineywoods Community Academy in Lufkin.

Since 1988, The Coalition has focused on eliminating the use of harmful substances by affecting public policy, laws, attitudes and behaviors, all in an effort to foster healthy life-long choices for the local community. For more information about the youth award winners visit www.tobaccofreekids.org. For more information about local youth tobacco prevention programs and how you can get involved, contact The Coalition at 936-634-9308.

(pictured above)

The Youth Advocate of the Year award was presented to Kellen Kruk (left) by Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids President, Matthew Myers. Kellen was honored for his leadership and advocacy in tobacco prevention and the fight against Big Tobacco.