Students Learn Dangers Of Vaping At Central Regional

BERKELEY, NJ — Students at Central Regional Middle School learned about the dangers of vaping thanks to a partnership with the Tigger Stavola Foundation.

Sponsored by the Tigger Stavola Foundation (TSF), the event featured Robb Holla, a trusted speaker who promotes drug and alcohol prevention. TSF, based in Red Bank, was founded in 2013 to honor Richard Stavola, Jr., lovingly nicknamed “Tigger,” who lost his life to an accidental overdose at the age of 25. The Stavola family and its foundation persevere to fight addiction, spread awareness, and save lives through drug prevention education.

Holla, a speaker, author, and youth motivator, is working to change the lives of students across North America by educating them about the dangers of vaping. He addressed 250 seventh and eighth grade students at Central Regional Middle School on Jan. 13. Holla shares precautionary tales through high-energy, transformative assemblies.

In his presentation at the middle school, Holla spoke against vaping, empowering young people to break through the obstacles that stand in their way.

Students said they learned how one poor decision can change the direction of their lives and about the dangers of vaping and how easy it is to get addicted.

“I learned that vaping is not a better alternative to smoking cigarettes,” one student said. “I know smoking is bad for you, but vaping is worse than cigarettes!”

CRMS Assistant Principal Gabrielle Carney expressed pride in the school district’s commitment to student well-being. “We are grateful to the Tigger Stavola Foundation for bringing speaker Robb Holla to our school," Carney said. “We are very grateful to the foundation for providing this invaluable lesson to our students.”

CRMS Psychologist Maeve Burg said that the presentation engaged students in active learning situations while covering impactful information about the dangers of vaping. “He reminded them that one choice can change your life,” she said.

For more information about TSF’s educational programs, visit tiggerstavolafoundation.org

Holla will return to the Central Regional School District on Feb. 13 to present to Central Regional High School students.

Superintendent Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder thanked TSF for funding the presentation, which falls in line with her health and wellness initiatives implemented across the district since she became superintendent. CarneyRay-Yoder has made the health and wellness of students a top priority for her administration.

“I want to personally thank the Tigger Stavola Foundation and Mr. Holla for educating our students about the consequences of making poor choices as well as the dangers of vaping, which can have a negative impact on their health,” she said.