Gruen Von Behren Talks To HMS/HHS Students
Behren And The N.S.T.E.P. Are Talking About The Dangers Of Smokeless Tobacco
On Wednesday, March 3, students at Herington Middle/High School were given the opportunity to hear not only an inspirational story but an important message about the dangers of smokeless tobacco.
Mr. Behren works with the National Spit Tobacco Education Program (N.S.T.E.P.) to educate students all across the nation about the incorrect belief that smokeless tobacco is a safe alternative to smoking. Gruen told students that “Doctors had to cut skin from my legs to cover my face and neck wounds. They had to take a bone from my leg to make me a new jawbone. If I had known then what I know now, I never would have taken that first dip. I was young and had the belief that I was strong and nothing bad would happen to me, but it has ruined my life."
Read more about Mr. Behren's amazing story and message at http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Gruen.html
Here are some comments from HMS students after hearing Mr. Berhren's message:
"I thought Gruen was a great example of what chewing tobacco can do to you. I felt sorry for Gruen because he didn't have anyone to warn him about the dangers. He tried to scare us about the dangers and when I left the gym I knew I wasn't going to use chewing tobacco." - HMS Student Trent Granzow
"I thought Gruen was very funny with the way he handled people staring and talking about him all the time. I'm glad he decided to talk to students about the harmful effects of tobacco, and what it can do to you. Gruen was very hard to understand because of what had happened to him." - HMS Student Katie Martin
"I think he is very brave for going out to all the schools looking the way he does and not caring if the people he talks to talks about him. He had a good story to share about using tobacco products and what they can do to you. Gruen is proof if you use tobacco products you not only hurt yourself but hurt the people who care about you." - HMS Student Jordan Herpich
"What I thought about Gruen is that he had a sad life. I was afraid because my dad used to chew. When I saw him I was afraid my dad may end up looking like that. Hearing his story made me feel sad. Now because of Gruen I know what you could look like if you get hurt by tobacco products." - HMS Student Gary White
"I thought that Gruen's life was a sad one, but the way he explained it, it got his message across. I liked that he used humor to tell his story. He seemed like a weird guy at first, but later I started to think he could be a guy I would want to have as a friend." - HMS Student Joey Thiel
"Gruen was a good speaker. I've had many assemblies with people telling us not to use tobacco and drugs but usually everyone just blows it off and forgets about it three hours later. His story not only affected me but many other students." - HMS Student Tyler Smith
