VOICE

VOICE is Indiana's statewide youth empowerment brand to Engage, Educate and Empower teens to promote and celebrate tobacco-free lifestyles.

VOICE Indiana Through the Years

Take a look at pivotal moments in our history.

2002

VOICE began with a 20-member Youth Advisory Board, ages 15-17, which offered input about likes and dislikes of teens in Indiana. This led to the first statewide summit in the Spring of 2002.

2017

VOICE Action Squad members toured the state hosting Action Speaks Insta-Interviews and Maximum Velocity Tours to engage and educate their peers on the dangers of cigarettes.

2020

Youth from across the state attended an advocacy day at the Indiana Statehouse. Speakers included Governor Holcomb, Dr. Box, actor Moses Jones, and Truth Initiative.

2023

Over 240 young people and adult allies converged on the statehouse to “Link Up to Be Tobacco and Nicotine Free.” They were inspired by teen leaders to share their VOICE with elected officials.

Four VOICE Youth Ambassadors were awarded the Group Advocates of the Year Award from the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. They attended the Catalysts for Change Gala in Washington, D.C. in May 2023.

2024

Two groups of VYAS worked together to release Rise Above the Clouds, a peer to peer initiative, designed by youth for youth.

2025

Over 407 youth and adults participated in Advocacy Day at the Statehouse with the theme, “I’m an advocate, what’s your superpower?” Participants shared their WHY and VOICE groups met with 22 elected officials.

2025

VYAS showcased the video REWIND at the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre. A panel followed the film featuring two adults and four youth, and then attendees were able to walk through the art gallery of over 40 submissions from across the state.

2025

Thanks in part to their advocacy efforts, Indiana raised its cigarette tax by $2.00 and had parity with other tobacco products. This will help prevent 7,000 Indiana youth from becoming individuals who smoke.

VOICE Youth Ambassadors

VOICE Youth Ambassadors are high school students who have demonstrated leadership in fighting commercial tobacco and celebrating tobacco-free lifestyles in their communities as active VOICE leaders. These youth ambassadors are chosen annually as representatives of their local counties through a competitive application process. They receive training at the state level and participate in statewide activities throughout the year. They serve as brand ambassadors for our statewide program and inform and design all statewide campaigns and initiatives within the VOICE Indiana brand.

The 2025-2026 Cohort will be announced soon!

2024-2025 VOICE Youth Ambassadors

Past VOICE Youth Ambassadors

2023-2024

  Mi Htaw
Blake Hurst
Jyllian Knolinski
Drew Law
Nelli McLeod
Mieka Neely
Ashley Nelson
Ashley Norton

2022-2023

Brenna Bastin
Gracie Castner
Suhita Chintalacharuva
Yoonji Choe
Lauren Jeffers
Nicole Liu
Hanna Martin
Nellie McLeod

2021-2022

Alana Halstead
Alexis Jones
Anissa Washington
Branden Bastin
Gabe Anderson
Grant Coleman
Henry Kaszynski
Mackinah Wampler
Molly Ranard
Myles Strong
Nicole Liu
Phoenyx Neidenmyer
Shania Sharma

Bree Wilson Youth Advocate of the Year

Indiana and national tobacco control partners committed to engaging and empowering young people have established the Bree Wilson Youth Advocate of the Year Scholarship in memory of Breanna “Bree” Lynn Wilson. In honoring Bree’s legacy, Campaign For Tobacco Free Kids, Truth Initiative, and Indiana’s tobacco control partners honor a VOICE Indiana Core Team Leader or VOICE Youth Ambassador with the Youth Advocate of the Year Award.