United South High School students took the lead in addressing teen vaping and nicotine use by hosting Clearing the Air: A Family Night of Wellness, a student-organized parent and community event focused on education, prevention, and connection to local resources. The event was held recently in the high school cafeteria and was intentionally scheduled alongside Meet the Teacher Night to maximize family participation.

Planned and led by student members of the UISD Student Advisory Board, the evening featured interactive stations, informational materials, and direct conversations with mental health and substance-use professionals. Parents and students were invited to walk through the experience together, learn about the health risks associated with vaping, and explore strategies for prevention and healthy decision-making.

Student leaders opened the event with a video they produced, highlighting student interviews and the real and often misunderstood dangers of vaping. The focus was on practical information, peer-to-peer communication, and empowering families with knowledge.

“We want parents to see all the resources that Laredo and our community have to offer when it comes to anti-vaping and nicotine awareness,” said Brody Gutierrez, 12th-grade student and President of United South Early College. “A lot of teens think vaping is just flavored air, but it’s not. There’s nicotine, heavy metals, and chemicals involved, and those affect the brain and body, especially since the brain isn’t fully developed until about age 25.”

Gutierrez explained that students were intentionally placed at the center of the message. “We wanted students leading this instead of just adults because we can relate to our peers in a more personal and direct way. Our goal is to prevent nicotine and substance use early, starting from middle school through high school, by helping families understand what’s really happening scientifically when people vape.”

The event connected families with local organizations, including WestCare, a nonprofit drug-free program providing substance abuse prevention and treatment services. Materials distributed to parents outlined key facts about vaping, including nicotine addiction, unknown long-term health effects, and the way flavored products are marketed to youth.

UISD Board of Trustees members Ramiro Veliz and Gilbert Aguilar attended the event in support of the student-driven initiative and broader community wellness efforts.

United South High School Principal Martha Alvarez praised the students’ leadership and initiative. “This project started last year with our Superintendent’s advisory committee, but our students wanted to take it further,” Alvarez said. “They came to me with this idea and asked for support. Knowledge is power, and tonight we brought that knowledge directly to our parents in a way that was approachable and meaningful.”

Alvarez emphasized the importance of accessibility for families. “Many parents work long hours and don’t always have time to seek out agencies. Bringing these resources here allows them to make those connections and start important conversations at home.”

Hector M. Gutierrez, the school’s Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and Brody’s father, said many parents asked how they could help their children avoid vaping. “The most important thing is communication,” he said. “It’s never too early or too late to talk to your kids about substance use. Vaping products are easy to hide, they’re flavored like candy, and many students don’t see them as harmful. That’s why staying informed and having open discussions is critical.”

Gutierrez also stressed that vaping delivers high levels of nicotine and harmful substances. “Vapes contain heavy metals and chemicals the lungs aren’t meant to absorb. The nicotine content in one vape pod can equal multiple packs of cigarettes. Just because it doesn’t smell like smoke doesn’t mean it’s safe.”

This family-focused event served as a starting point for continued dialogue between students, parents, and educators, reinforcing the message that prevention begins with awareness, communication, and community support.

Brody says he is fortunate that his father taught him early about the dangers of vaping, and now they get to work together at United South to bring knowledge and resources to their Panther community.