5/7/21 - Natalie Baker, a member of the Teen Advisory Council of Knox County (TAC), has been named a recipient of the Youth Advocate Award for 2021 from the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Association of Ohio (ADAPAO). The ADAPAO youth prevention awards honor excellence in and commitment to prevention in Ohio among young people. Members of ADAPAO nominate youth for the award who are engaged in prevention in their communities and around the state.

A senior at Fredericktown High School, Natalie has made quite an impact with her time in TAC, said Tina Cockrell, KSAAT program coordinator and co-advisor for TAC. Natalie serves on the planning committee for the TAC Color Run, led a discussion in her school about anxiety in youth, engages in crucial conversations with peers and has used skills learned in bystander intervention training to help others.

“Natalie exemplifies her role as a prevention advocate and role model to her peers,” said Cockrell. “Her dedication to the mission of the Teen Advisory Council and her drive to create healthier lifestyles among her peers exemplifies her advocacy efforts.”

Teen Advisory Council (TAC) is a youth-led prevention group, representing all Knox County schools, grades 9-12. It is a joint program of the Knox Substance Abuse Action Team (KSAAT) and New Directions Delta project. For more information on TAC, visit tacofknox.org

ADAPAO is a membership-based, not-for-profit association that serves as the voice of prevention in Ohio, with a specific focus on preventing alcohol, tobacco, other drug abuse and other behavioral health problems. For more information, visit adapao.org.