The Hennessey United Association board hosted teens Brooklyn Harris and Landon Lopez at its Thursday, March 16, meeting at the Wellness Mercantile.

Those two HHS sophomores are part of a state Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL) program.

That program is funded by the state’s Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust and YAHL has two initiatives: counteract tobacco and elevate student health (encouraging healthy actions/ nutrition).

Students told the United group that the content of vapes aren’t regulated and they could contain marijuana, high doses of nicotine or chemicals found in cleaning products, nail polish remover and even bug spray.

Brooklyn surprised the audience when she said a survey shows one in five high school students said they’d used a vape in the past month.

The surprise meter went higher when two school teachers in the audience said they thought that number of users was low.

Jeanae Neal, coordinator for YAHL, assisted students with their PowerPoint presentation.

HHS Counselor Jill Moery also helped the students set up and said they are among about 20 students who participated in YAHL training at the school.

“Both Landon and Brooklyn have followed up with active participation in the program,” Moery said.

Since the program includes health nutrition, the students hosted a “Swap Up Day” on March 22.

“That ’s where they will have a table set up at lunch with healthy food options to encourage students to swap out for typical snacks,” Moery said.

She invites community groups to contact her at the school if they would like YAHL students to make a presentation to their organization.

Attending this month’s United meeting were President Stacy Cline, Vice President Teresa Oliver; Secretary Cathy Howard and board members Scott Hajek, Bert Gritz and Barb Walter, and Beautification Chairman Renee Curry.

Absent were Treasurer Tammy Lott-Hopkins, and board members Kaden Mitchell, Wes Hardin and Dagan Hardin.