LAPS Youth Nicotine Prevention Peer Ambassadors front row from left, Samatha Kranthijanya, and Isabella Jaramillo, and back row from left, LAHS Prevention Program Kristine Coblentz, Evan Beveridge, Charles Austin, Javaya Davison, Madalyn Baily, and Prevention Program’s Sylvia Diehl. Courtesy/LAPS
Youth Nicotine Prevention Peer Ambassadors engaging peers in conversations around nicotine use prevention. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
The Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) prevention program recently piloted a new student-led effort focused on reducing vaping and nicotine use among local youth, the Youth Nicotine Prevention Peer Ambassador Program.
Facilitated by Constellation Consulting with funding and partnership from the Nicotine Use Prevention and Control (NUPAC) program at the New Mexico Department of Health, the initiative brings student voice to the forefront of prevention efforts. Six Los Alamos High School students were selected from a pool of more than 30 applicants. Through a competitive application and interview process, Charles Austin, Madalyn Baily, Evan Beveridge, Javaya Davison, Isabella Jaramillo, and Samatha Kranthijanya were chosen to represent their peers and lead this project.
After participating in team building exercises and training on the health impacts of nicotine, vaping, and tobacco use and evidence-based substance use prevention strategies, the ambassadors quickly put their learning into action. In just five weeks, the team designed and led a range of activities reaching students across grade levels.
The impact of the team’s efforts could be seen across the Los Alamos High School (LAHS) campus. One of the team’s primary goals was to share prevention messaging that is both relevant and engaging.
Ambassadors gathered information by hosting a focus group to learn more about their peers’ knowledge and perspectives on nicotine use and interviewing key staff members. During lunch periods, students hosted interactive tables featuring a spinning wheel activity designed to encourage peer-to-peer conversations about nicotine use and its risks. To increase the reach of their project, they produced and shared content for Topper TV and school social media platforms.
At LAHS, daily morning announcements reinforced key messages and informational flyers were posted throughout the school. In addition, ambassadors developed activities to be used during homeroom at Los Alamos Middle School as one way to start nicotine prevention conversations at an earlier age. These collaborative efforts utilized a combination of strategies designed to raise awareness and keep nicotine use prevention visible for students and staff.
In their feedback, peer ambassadors shared that they valued working in supportive teams to create meaningful change in the school community, while also building leadership, communication, and public outreach skills. They also reported gaining a deeper understanding of nicotine use and prevention among students, shifting their perspectives on youth awareness and engagement in health education.
LAPS Superintendent Jennifer Guy emphasized the importance of student leadership in prevention efforts.
“When students lead, the message is more powerful and more meaningful,” she said. “We are proud of these ambassadors for stepping up to support their peers and for helping create a school environment where healthy choices are the norm. This work reflects the strength of our school community and our shared commitment to student well-being.”
About the Program
The Youth Nicotine Prevention Peer Ambassador Program is part of a statewide effort to support innovative, community-driven approaches to nicotine use prevention. Facilitated by Constellation Consulting with funding and partnership from the Nicotine Use Prevention and Control (NUPAC) program at the New Mexico Department of Health, the initiative emphasizes youth leadership, peer influence, and culturally responsive messaging.
Supporting Healthy Youth in Los Alamos
This program is one piece of Los Alamos Public Schools’ broader commitment to student health and well-being. The district’s prevention efforts focus on building strong protective factors through social-emotional learning, evidence-based programming, staff training, and meaningful partnerships with families and the community. Together, these efforts reflect a shared goal: helping every student feel supported, connected, and empowered to make healthy choices.
Parents and caregivers play a key role in prevention. For tips and tools on how to start conversations with your child about substance use, visit: https://www.naturalhigh.org/for-parents/
For more information, please contact the LAPS Prevention Team:
- Kristine Coblentz at k.coblentz@laschools.net or 505.663.2575
- Sylvia Diehl at s.diehl@laschools.net or 505.663.2564