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Student Hailed For Antismoking Push

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By TOM CROWE

Special to the Tampa Tribune

Published: June 4, 2008

SEFFNER - Erin Ireland, 18, doesn't want young people making the same mistake her grandfather did.

So she created a public service announcement that would make them think.

"I heavily believe in not smoking and have lost a grandpa because of it," said Ireland, a recent graduate of Armwood High School. "Maybe this PSA will stop at least one more person from making the wrong decision."

Ireland recently beat out all other entries in Hillsborough County's Jim Harbin Student Media Festival competition for the most outstanding TV public service announcement. The contest was open to all journalism and broadcasting students in Hillsborough County schools.

Her 30-second segment focused on the dangers of smoking and also won her a first-place award in the American Cancer Society's annual "Stomp It Out" contest.

Her segment will air on The CW Network and The Education Channel. Area movie theaters also will show it before feature showings.

Principal Marc Hutek said the award focused on an important issue among teens.

"It appears that more and more students are willing to stand against those social activities that 15 years ago peer pressure forced them into," Hutek said. "She's a lovely student, and I'm proud of her."

Tom Crowe was Ireland's television broadcasting teacher at Armwood.

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