NORWICH – Four Norwich High School Reality Check youths returned from Legislative Day in Albany on February 7 after spreading their message to lawmakers about how they can support Reality Check's tobacco control efforts in New York State.

NHS juniors Kristina Lamphere, Morgan Burdick, Steven King, and freshman Maddi Lamphere met with Senator Fred Akshar, Assemblyman Clifford Crouch, and staff from Assemblyman Gary Finch's office last Tuesday to discuss how Reality Check is making strides to control tobacco usage in each legislators' jurisdiction.

Reality Check Coordinator and Coordinator of Tobacco-Free Chenango Rose Walsh said the annual trip to Legislative Day is a privilege earned by Reality Check youths by their participation and activity, adding that almost everyone in the group earned the right to go this year but some were unable.

Maddi said while talking with lawmakers, they talked about the different Reality Check initiatives the group organizes, like the flagging of cigarette butts in Kiwanis Park, the observation of Seen Enough Tobacco Day, their participation in “airing big tobacco's dirty laundry,” and more.

It was their hope, Maddi said, that lawmakers would consider increasing the funding for the NYS Bureau of Tobacco Control from $39 million to $40 million to enable tobacco control groups like Reality Check to continue making measurable progress.

The funding helps make possible Reality Check events. One such event is slated for February 24, Reality Check is sponsoring a free showing of the movie “Sing” at the Colonia Theater in Norwich in honor of the International Week of Action leading up to the Academy Awards.

All of the NHS Reality Check youths will be in attendance, and all who join will also be offered a free small popcorn and soda, courtesy of Reality Check. The movie will start at 10 a.m., with the doors opening at 9:30 a.m.