Miss Virginia Carlehr Swanson Partners to Teach Students About Making Healthy Choices

MECHANICSVILLE, Va. - Miss Virginia Carlehr Swanson will promote healthy choices and substance use prevention to students in Virginia elementary schools as part of Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority's (ABC) Miss Virginia School Tour program.

In order to ensure Virginians are able to make informed choices, Miss Virginia educates elementary school students about the risks of alcohol and other drug use. The tour is funded by a $17,500 ABC grant and features several program options for elementary schools across the state which can participate in person or virtually.

"Virginia ABC and Miss Virginia have a long history of working together to educate Virginia's youth about the importance of making healthy choices," Virginia ABC CEO Dale Farino said. "We're excited for Carlehr's Miss Virginia tour and continuing this successful partnership."

During her visit, Miss Virginia provides the foundation and encouragement for young students to understand healthy choices and be aware of the harm of substance abuse. The Miss Virginia School Tour messaging aligns with the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOLs) of Advocacy and Health Promotion, Essential Health Concepts and Healthy Decisions focusing on substance use prevention as outlined in the SOLs. In accordance with these standards, two versions of the presentation based on grade level (Kindergarten-1st grade and 2nd-5th grade) are available.

Each student who participates in the program receives a copy of Virginia ABC's educational Health and Safety Activity Workbook. Teachers and caregivers can build powerful connections by completing the workbook with a child. Workbooks will be shipped to each school prior to the scheduled visit.

Through the Miss Virginia School Tour, students will:

• learn what positive choices are and how to make them, including how to say "no" when something is not healthy for their bodies;

• learn what it means to be a leader in their community and among their friends; and

• be able to identify who is a trusted adult and understand the role they play in their lives.

A third-year PhD student at the University of Virginia in critical and comparative studies in music, Swanson started an outreach program, "Music is Unity," as an eighth grader that sparked her lifelong dedication to sharing music's healing power. It has since evolved into a full-service arts organization that offers free performances in nursing homes and schools. "Substance use prevention efforts begin in Virginia's elementary schools," said Swanson. "Throughout the tour, I hope to show Virginia's youth how positive choices can set them up for success."

Since 1953, the Miss Virginia Pageant has provided a platform for young women to advocate for causes and issues important to them. Virginia ABC has a long-standing partnership with Miss Virginia Opportunity. Last year's Miss Virginia, Katie Rose, visited 64 elementary schools reaching 18,105 students promoting healthy decision making and leadership through the Miss Virginia School Tour Program.

"Virginia ABC and the Miss Virginia Opportunity have collaborated to meet students where they are with age-appropriate information about drugs and alcohol to protect them from dangerous behaviors as they grow older," said Virginia ABC Community Health and Engagement Director Katie Crumble. "This early communication sets the stage for a lifetime of promoting health and safety."

The Virginia ABC Community Health and Engagement Division strengthens the capacity of communities across Virginia by providing data, research, evidence-based programming strategic resources and genuine partnership.

Schools interested in scheduling a Miss Virginia presentation may request a school tour stop by visiting www.abc.virginia.gov/education/programs/miss-va.

The division also provides free educational publications which can be ordered online. For the order form, visit www.abc.virginia.gov/education/publications.

Editor's note: Carlehr is pronounced "car-le-uh."

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The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) is a major source of revenue for the Commonwealth, contributing more than $2.7 billion to the general fund in the last five years. Virginia ABC currently operates more than 400 state stores and provides alcohol education and prevention programs for people of all ages. Its Bureau of Law Enforcement oversees ABC licensed establishments across the Commonwealth. Now marking its 90th year, ABC remains committed to progress and innovation in carrying out its vision of bringing good spirits and excellent service to Virginia.

Web: www.abc.virginia.gov Facebook: @VirginiaABC and @SpiritedVirginia Instagram: @spiritedvirginia Twitter: @VirginiaABC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/virginiaabc

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