Lights, Camera, Activism!
By India S. Diaz

I discovered the Face Value campaign in the halls of Peekskill High School. While walking by the office one day, I noticed a flyer advertising auditions for an anti-smoking commercial that would air on MTV, BET, and VH1. It automatically caught my interest and I decided to audition right here at PHS.

Face Value tells the truth about smoking: it wrecks your appearance, drains your spending money, and exposes your body to around 4,000 dangerous chemicals. And if you don't think smoking is seriously addictive, get this: nine out of ten teen smokers in New York State say they'll quit after high school, but five years after graduation, two-thirds are still hooked on cigarettes.

After being notified that I had been selected to participate in the commercial, I prepared to travel to Boston, Massachusetts. The two days I spent in Boston were great. I received professional make-up and wardrobe assistance. I also recorded my voice in a real recording studio and filmed the commercial with real producers and directors. Although the filming took hours, the result was definitely worth it. I met other Westchester girls, like myself, who are against smoking and interested in acting. Face Value was my first commercial appearance. What I learned that every girl should know: cigarette smoking only ruins your appearance in the long run and it is not attractive at all.

So far, the Face Value ads have appeared on TV, on radio stations like Z100, and billboards around the county.