SHERBURNE – Sherburne-Earlville High School Senior Megan Rogers is taking an active role in the community by addressing the concerns of local tobacco advertising, recently earning her the 2012 Reality Check Youth Advocate of the Year Award for the Central New York Region.

Reality Check is a statewide youth program managed by the New York State Department of Health that educates youth on the deceptive marketing practices of the tobacco industry. While budget restraints led New York State officials to cut the program in Chenango County, it still exists in surrounding counties, including Madison, where Rogers has been active in Reality Check for the last two years.

In recognition of her dedication, participation, initiative and perseverance in Reality Check, Rogers was also selected as the spokesman on behalf of the organization, addressing legislators in Albany about the importance of state funding and the role Reality Check plays in the fight against tobacco use.

“The only way we are going to truly make a difference is to increase and expand on what we are doing,” Rogers told elected officials at the Legislative Office Building in Albany at a press conference last Friday. “There is much more work to do and we can’t afford to slow down.”