Bishop Chatard High School volleyball player Rebecca Reidy has been chosen to participate in the Role Model Program by the Indiana High School Athletic Association, according to a press release from the organization. She will appear on posters, sports schedules and other materials as a symbol of a healthy, active individual.

Schools are encouraged to display the posters and distribute the pocket schedules at their high school, middle and elementary schools that feature the phrase:

"Tobacco Free is Up to Me." Reidy was nominated by her school administrators and signed a pledge to be tobacco, drug and alcohol free and serve as a positive role model for the community.

"Rebecca is part of something much bigger than herself," IHSAA commissioner Blake Ress said in a press release. "She is helping to change the habits and positively influence lives in her school, community and throughout the state of Indiana."

In the past two years, the smoking rate among Indiana high school students has fallen 23.2 percent and is down 47 percent for middle school students, according to the press release. The Role Model program is in its seventh year and will include 100 students from 68 schools this year.

"I think the student-athletes involved in the IHSAA Role Model Program are definitely helping to address youth tobacco use," said Karla Sneegas, Executive Director of Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation, in a press release. "They are connecting with each other in a way adults cannot; as friends and peers. Having these high school student leaders in as many communities as possible is an invaluable asset in our efforts to reduce the use of tobacco products in Indiana."

Call Star reporter Nat Newell ! at (317) 444-5536.