Our 2018 scholarship winner is Jane Bailey from Leonardtown High School. Jane’s application was most impressive! In 2017, Jane worked closely with the St. Mary’s County Health Department to further the priorities of the organization. As part of the Tobacco Free Living action team, she worked to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke. In particular, Jane kick started the Smoke Free Holy Grounds Initiative by reaching out to more than 300 faith-based organizations throughout the county to provide the tools and expertise needed to promote health and wellness for their congregations. She developed surveys and constructed ready-made anti-smoking tool kits to be distributed at faith-based events, as well as pamphlets and flyers to inform congregations on the anti-tobacco use programs provided by the department. To date, Smoke Free Holy Grounds has been fully implemented in more than 20 local faith-based organizations. Jane also assisted the St. Mary’s County Health Department directly by administering a survey to high school students on their perspectives on smoking and vaping. This information was used to assist the department with targeted advertising campaigns. Jane will be attending Baylor University this Fall.

Congratulations Jane!