Taking action for tobacco and vape-free communities is no small feat, but there are a lot of us in this together! Read on below to see just a glimpse of how individual activists (including some of our Impact Scholarship Winners) have made real change on the issues that matter most to our generation. We hope they inspire you to get involved with one of our programs: Ambassadors, College Leaders, Trainers, and Instigators.
Karely “Katt” Alcantara
Karely “Katt” Alcantara
Karely “Katt” Alcantara is a truth Ambassador and first-gen college student at the University of Maryland. Once a vaper, Katt now shares her journey at campus and other community events, highlighting the mental health impacts of nicotine. She's on a mission to spread awareness about tobacco’s harms, especially among low-income and Black/Brown youth. Katt recently shared her story in the New York Times, and has also won an Honorable Mention for the 2022 truth Impact Scholarship.
Alannah Dalton
Alannah Dalton
Alannah Dalton is a truth Ambassador and senior at Salisbury University. Alannah is passionate about educating youth about the dangers of vaping and nicotine use. She is currently a paraprofessional teacher and has been finding creative ways to teach her students about the harms of vaping nicotine. Alannah is an avid animal lover and a dedicated reader, finding joy in everything from cereal boxes to traditional books. She is also a former Instigator and winner of the 2022 truth Impact Scholarship.
Joe Varallo
Joe Varallo
Joe Varallo, a former cigarette/vape user of 8 years, is a trainer with truth. He utilizes his personal journey and experience to educate and raise awareness among youth and young adults about the horrors of nicotine abuse. Joe also works as a manager at a restaurant and is currently on track to graduate in January 2024 with a double major in Criminal Justice and Political Science.
Briana Brooks
Briana Brooks
Briana Brooks is a former ambassador and current trainer with truth. She is passionate about advocating for effective changes in her community and connecting youth and young adults to resources to help them make informed decisions about tobacco use. Briana graduated from Oakwood University with a B.A. in Pre-Law and has studied abroad in Argentina. Briana is also proficient in Spanish and is currently studying for the LSAT, hoping to get into her dream law school in 2024.
Kate Goldstein
Kate Goldstein
Kate Goldstein is a truth College Leader from Bellevue College who stands out for her remarkable contributions to campus well-being through the Program. She has advocated for the adoption of a comprehensive tobacco/vape-free policy on her campus, and has led more than 5 events.
Maria Giron-Castro
Maria Giron-Castro
Maria Giron-Castro is a College Leader at Trinity Washington University, where she’s had a pivotal role in championing a 100% tobacco/vape-free policy on her campus. Through tireless advocacy and creative engagement like hosting a truth Escape Room, Maria has worked with her peers to transform her campus into a healthier and more supportive environment.
Julya Egnaczyk
Julya Egnaczyk
Julia Egnaczyk is an Activist and truth Changemaker Award Winner who currently attends the University of Michigan. At her previous University (SUNY Binghamton), Julia led the charge on mental health among students, helping the school pass new policies for student support and educating faculty and staff on student mental health needs. She’s kept it up at UMich, continuing to push for public health and tobacco-free policies, and even getting involved with the University’s Undergraduate Journal of Public Health. Check out a blog post she wrote!
Aditya Gunturi
Aditya Gunturi
Aditya Gunturi is an Activist and student at the University of Rochester. He has been an avid supporter of the campus’s 100% tobacco and vape-free policy, and has gone the extra mile to reach his peers with quitting resources, such as This is Quitting. Aditya is also heavily involved in one of the tobacco research labs on campus, helping to fight for better quitting and addiction resources. Aditya is headed for Medical School next year, where he’ll continue to make a great impact on the health of his campus community and beyond.
