Chalk Out the Smoke to be held tonight

Students Oppose Smoking and Montgomery County Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) are holding Chalk Out the Smoke, a smoke-free event, today from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Orange Ball Billiards in Rockville. For $3, or $2 with a canned food item, and a Montgomery County Public School ID, high school students can play pool, dance, listen to music provided by Hot 99.5 and enjoy a free buffet.

Dance competitions and karaoke, both with prizes available, will be the highlight of the night. In addition, the singing competition for Montgomery County Idol will take place between pre-selected finalists. Although middle school students are not allowed at Chalk Out the Smoke, there will also be a rap competition between pre-selected middle school students.

Aside from the entertainment at Chalk Out the Smoke, the real purpose of the event, according to the Recreation Specialist and planner Valerie Graham, is to give teens an alternative to drinking and smoking. "We want to provide teens with a safe, drug free event and raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco use," Graham said.

YAC is a group of middle school and high school students from the county dedicated to decreasing societal issues relevant to teens, including teen smoking and drinking, and plans drug free events. For those interested in joining the YAC, applications will be available in spring.