Ninth grade is typically when many of us are still attempting to find our footing within the new environment of high school, however this issue’s feature, Jacob Desmarais, has taken it upon himself to start off on the right foot.
Desmarais has decided to try and help combat one of the most urgent youth health crises in America, nicotine vaping, through the founding of the new Nicotine Free North Club. With over 8 million annual deaths, nicotine has become a global health crisis. Especially among teens with the new e-cigarette and vape fad that has sadly captivated so many young people. “1200 people die every single day in the United States from vaping,” says Desmarias, as he talks about how he was inspired to found Nicotine Free North.
He specifically cited the lecture he attended with his aunt and health teacher Deb Hallquist as one of his primary motives to start the club. “My aunt comes to our school every other Friday to talk with students who were caught vaping and she kinda brought up this conference idea at the Avalon event center. And it was just really moving, […] There was one speaker who started this whole campaign, like he worked with Barack Obama while he was in office,” Desmarais said.
The mission statement of the club is much less about shaming students who might be making unhealthy choices, but rather informing them. Club advisor Hallquist said “The percentage of students who are using is less than those not using at North. And, those that are using nicotine to just get some factual information to help guide them in their decisions.” Hallquist gives all credit of the idea for the club straight to Desmarias,“He has a desire to inform others and is just a fun and likeable person. He always has a new idea and plan for our meetings,” she said.
As well as starting his own club, Desmarias is involved in numerous other activities and organizations in the north. From Student Council to freshmen football, Desmarias stays involved. “It’s really fun, and I got signed up to do track and field this spring too,” said Desmarias.
Upperclassmen have nothing but positive things to say about the role Desmarias has played in Student Council, and despite his newcomer status, he clearly has made an impact on many. “Mark my words, Jacob Desmarais is going to run this school,” said Student Council Secretary Ava Bach.
Student Council President, Drew Burris said “Working with Jacob is great just because he is always very enthusiastic about things and just loves being involved.” He goes on, “I really enjoyed working with him during the state student council conference. I feel like his personality really showed through. There were multiple times where speakers had questions and he volunteered right away to answer them.”
Desmaria’s passion for change is not confined to the halls of Fargo North. “He cares a lot about figuring things out for himself, he cares a lot about research,” says his older sister Kaitlyn. “We try to do a lot of stuff, we try to do a lot of recruiting like he works on Nicotine Free North a lot of the time.”
Many other Desmarais siblings are heavily involved around the northside, with K. Desmarais work with FBLA and Speech and Debate, as well her sister Olivia’s involvement with Congress, Speech and Debate
Nicotine Free North, though in its infancy, is clearly very promising in what could be an incredible impact at Fargo North. The club is new and still looking for new members, so contact Desmarias or Halquist with any questions about joining via email.
“He cares a lot about figuring things out for himself, he cares a lot about research.” Says older sister Kaitlyn.”
“I really like that he’s starting this movement, its good to have something you care about and i like that he’s starting something thats going to positively impact North.”
“We try to do alot of stuff, we try to do alot of recruiting like he works on Nicotine Free North a lot of the time.”
“I think the personal reason the issue of Nicotine landed with him is mainly because our aunt works for North Dakota in that and a couple years ago we helped we helped her make sure that gas stations weren’t selling nicotine to anyone underage, and that they had the correct signage up. And it was really fun so i feel like from a young age we heard a lot about the importance of teaching people about the consequences of using nicotine.”
“My Aunt comes to our school every other Friday to talk with students who were caught vaping and she kinda brought up this conference idea at the Avalon event center. And it was just really moving.”
“There was one speaker who started this whole campaign, like he worked with Barack Obama while he was in office, First he started out in this small little town in Florida, like Fargo.”
“Mark my words, Jacob Desmarais is going to run this school.”- Ava
Halquast: “I student approached me, Jacob, and asked to start the club, and i gladly accepted.”
“Energetic, wanting to learn, driven to get people factual information. Curious and always wanting to help students.”
“He has a desire to inform others and is just a fun and likeable person. He always has a new idea and plan for our meetings.”
“The percentage of students who are using is less than those not using at north. And, those that are using to just get some factual information to help guide them in their decisions.”
Drew:
“Jacob is just such a character, he’s kind and warm and bubbly.”
“Working with Jacob is great just because he is always very enthusiastic about things and just loves being involved.”
C”
How did the idea of nicotine free north come to you? What inspired you to start the club?
What have been some of the challenges/ benefits of being an underclassmen starting a club
What are some of the club initiatives/ goals for this year? What do you hope it achieves?
What other clubs are involved in this?
What other activities/subjects are you involved in? Why?
What do you enjoy doing outside of school?
What is your advice to other underclassmen who want to take on leadership roles?
Kaityln, the scary chemistry teacher, Hallquest, Olivia
How long have you been involved with anti-vaping platforms?
What drove you to start advising nicotine free north?
Where did the idea come from? How do you hope it shapes the school?
How long have you known Jacob for? How would you describe him?
What’s it like working with Jacob? What does he add to the school/nicotine free north?
What makes him a good candidate for heading a club like this?
How long have you been involved with stuco?
What is something your e
