RAGE Lives On!
June 21st, 2005
Being an avid blog reader, I’ve struggled to turn into an actual blogger. But I’m hoping to turn a new leaf after again being inspired by spending 48 hours on the road with a bunch of RAGE ViralMentalists.
On Tuesday, June 14, we held this year’s RAGE day camp. We’ve gone from an initial three day Summit, to last year taking the summit approach on the road with stops across the state of South Carolina, to this year a one day camp. I think it sucks. But I’m not going to be negative here. I want to celebrate some things that I never thought about when we set out to create a co-owned youth movement in a heavy tobacco-influenced state.
When RAGE does a youth summit, we don’t use adults as trainers, we use real RAGE teen leaders. RAGE is about sustaining youth involvement by having a voice in the movement. So the day before the training events, we bring all the RAGE core in to train, talk and tell stories - it’s a family that is pretty damn awesome.
As the training ended, it turned to memories for some. This will be their last training and I have to admit, tears welled up in my eyes. I have vivid memories of some of these guys as scared 8th and 9th graders attending a RAGE event, and learning about tobacco health effects and industry manipulation.
I’m so proud of these guys, they have become true influencers, not to promote some worthless product - but to spread the word in a positive way to other teens that they have a choice to not smoke.
I just want to say I’ll miss you guys. You give me the power to continue to fight for your cause.
Good Luck guys:
Kyle will attending Coastal Carolina.
Courtney will be a UNC TarHeel.
Ryan from Starr to Columbia, Go Cocks!
Josh and Ben will be in Orangeburg at SC State. Ben, I will be looking for you on the drumline.
Julia is moving to Savannah and going to SCAD (man, I�m jealous).
Chris, Clemson will never be same.
Other posts by Geno.
Q says:
Yea, I’m gonna miss all the graduates also. RAGE isn’t gonna be the same without everyone, but at least you guys left your mark and cleared a path for others to follow. Good luck and keep in touch.
February 18th, 2006 at 6:30 pmChris S. I. says:
Well… there Geno says it all. As an actively involved member of Rage Against The Haze for more than two years, participating in all the events, meeting so many people, learning useful things and then sharing what I have learned with others, it is hard to believe that it will soon become a part of my past rather than my present. As Geno said, we have become a family, and I’ll miss everyone… Every time I come back from a Rage meeting or event, I go from happy to sad, everyone stays on my mind for days and day or even more. I guess…the Rage spirit’s “addictive,” one could say… Such a movement needs to go on…it touches lives…Experiencing Rage… -csi-
February 18th, 2006 at 6:30 pm