The Staten Island Kids Against Tobacco Campaign launched its fifth annual Film Festival at Richmond University Medical Center. This was my second year assisting with the film festival as one of the celebrity presenters. Also in attendance as celebrity presenters were Kara Jae Kowalski, Miss New York's Outstanding Teen 2009, and Shelley Jain, Miss Staten Island's Outstanding Teen 2010. The night was filled with entertainment by musical performers and a showing of all the films presented at the festival. Paticipants in the festival included students from Staten Island Technical High School, New Dorp High School, Concord High School, Tottenville High School, and Port Richmond High School. After the viewing of all the films, I kicked off the awards presentation, which was similar to the Oscars. I presented the awards for Most Dramatic and Most Imformative. I also had the opportunity to speak about my platform, T.E.A.C.H.
Dr. Cynthia Wong, Associate Progrm Director at Richmond University Medical Center and founder of the Staten Island Kids Against Tobacco Film Festival.
Presenting the Most Dramatic and Most Informative Awards 
Speaking about T.E.A.C.H. About 65 students created seven, ten minute films to encourage their peers and all viewers not to smoke. These films included public service announcements and personal stories to help get their powerful message across. I found it inspiring to see these teens rise above peer pressure by educating others of the dangers of smoking. Just like myself when I was fourteen years old, many of these teens have already faced the pressure to smoke and had the confidence to say "No". The Staten Island Kids Against Tobacco campaign begins in the fall and lasts until April.
Scooter the Holy Cow, The Staten Island Yankee Minor League Baseball Team Mascot 
Shelley Jain, Miss Staten Island's Outstanding Teen 2010
Kara Jae Kowalski, Miss New York's Outstanding Teen 2009
