Educating and Empowering Young People
Real Talk has reached more than 7,500 high school students across the state of Florida through honest discussions about the physical and mental effects of substance abuse.
What is Real Talk?
The Real Talk curriculum incorporates prevention techniques included in The Alcohol Literacy Challenge™, developed by nationally-recognized researchers Michael Dunn, PhD and Thomas Hall, PhD. The Alcohol Literacy Challenge™ is the first classroom-based prevention program that specifically challenges students’ beliefs about the effects of drinking alcohol.
McLean and the Real Talk Ambassadors use this curriculum as a springboard to educate students on the risks associated with newly emerging drug trends and equip them with skills on how to abstain from dangerous behaviors. The Real Talk presentation is offered free of charge and is appropriate for ages 13+.
About Real Talk Ambassadors
Our Real Talk ambassadors are current and past Miss Florida Scholarship Program candidates. These young women are passionate about fostering open, honest discussions about drug and alcohol abuse with high school and college students.
Through small group assemblies at schools and colleges, Real Talk contributors encourage students to ask questions about substance abuse, share their experiences without guilt or fear, and embrace healthy habits for their futures.
Each Real Talk ambassador welcomes students to talk openly about the realities of substance abuse in a supportive, judgment-free environment.
As of July 2019, Florida became the third state in the nation to require mental health education in public schools. Schools can incorporate the information into preexisting curriculum and classes or use outside educators or organizations, like Real Talk, to help deliver this crucial instruction.If your school or university is located in Florida and you’d like to host a Real Talk presentation, reach out to schedule a date and time. To request a Real Talk presentation, please fill out our form and we will be in touch.
2019 & Former Real Talk Ambassadors
Miss Florida 2019 — Michaela McLean, Miss Florida 2019, joins us as the official spokesperson for the 2019 Real Talk School Tour! She recently graduated from The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, studying Dance and Public Relations with a specialization in Sports and Entertainment... Read More
MISS SOUTH FLORIDA 2019 — Danielle Ball, Miss South Florida, joins us as a Real Talk Brand Ambassador in 2019! She is a graduate of the University of Florida and a current post-baccalaureate student at Florida Atlantic University studying and researching Social and Behavioral Neuroscience. In... Read More
MISS LARGO 2019 — Payton Barrington, Miss Largo 2019, joins us as a Real Talk Brand Ambassador in 2019! She is a recent graduate at the University of South Florida from Orlando, Florida, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. In addition to serving as an... Read More
MISS ORLANDO 2019 — Lindsay Bettis, Miss Orlando, joins us as a Real Talk Brand Ambassador in 2019! She is a senior at the University of Central Florida from St. Augustine, Florida, studying Marketing. In addition to serving as an ambassador, Lindsay also... Read More
MISS SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR 2019 — Mariluz Cook, Miss South Florida Fair, joins us as a Real Talk Brand Ambassador in 2019! She is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University from West Palm Beach, Florida, with a dual degree in Communication Studies and Criminal... Read More
MISS UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA 2019 — Keyera Lyn, Miss University of Central Florida, joins us as a Real Talk Brand Ambassador in 2019! She is a graduate student at the University of Central Florida from Miramar, Florida, studying Communication with a... Read More
MISS RIVER CITY 2019 — Aaliyah Manning, Miss River City joins us as a Real Talk Ambassador in 2019! She is a junior at The University of Central Florida from Jacksonville, Florida, studying Mass Communications. In addition to serving as an ambassador,... Read More
MISS MIAMI BEACH 2019 – Janiah McCray, Miss Miami Beach, joins us as a Real Talk Ambassador in 2019! She is a sophomore at Valencia College from Coral Springs, Florida, studying Biomedical Sciences. In addition to serving as an ambassador, Janiah also... Read More
MISS TAMPA 2019 — Lauren Nielsen, Miss Tampa, joins us as a Real Talk Brand Ambassador in 2019! She is a 2015 musical theatre graduate of the University of Tampa, from Bradenton/Sarasota, Florida. In addition to serving as an ambassador, Lauren also... Read More
Miss City Beautiful 2019 — Megan Price, Miss City Beautiful, joins us as a Real Talk Brand Ambassador in 2019! She is a recent graduate of Florida Southern College from LaBelle, Florida, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Multimedia Journalism. In addition to serving as an ambassador, Megan dedicates... Read More
Miss Gainesville 2019 — Sophia Rappaport, Miss Gainesville, joins us as a Real Talk Brand Ambassador in 2019! She is a Senior at the University of Florida, from Jacksonville, FL, studying Economics and Sociology on the Pre-Dental track. In addition to serving as an ambassador, Sophia also dedicates her... Read More
MISS UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 2019 — Leah Roddenberry, Miss University of Florida, joins us as a Real Talk Brand Ambassador in 2019! She is a sophomore at the University of Florida, from Bradenton, Florida, studying Family, Youth, and Community Sciences on the Pre-Law track. In addition to serving... Read More
MISS TALLAHASSEE 2019 — Alana Scheuerer, Miss Tallahassee, joins us as a Real Talk Brand Ambassador in 2019! She is a graduating senior at Florida State University, from Coral Springs, Florida, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and Tourism and is currently pursuing... Read More
MISS PASCO COUNTY 2019 — Izzy Skormin, Miss Pasco County, joins us as a Real Talk Brand Ambassador in 2019! She is a junior at the University of Central Florida from Orlando, Florida, studying finance. In addition to serving as an ambassador, Izzy also... Read More
Miss University of South Florida 2019 — Avalon Jade Theisen, Miss University of South Florida, joins us as a Real Talk Brand Ambassador in 2019! She is a senior at the University of South Florida, from Tampa, Florida, studying Religious Studies, Environmental Policy, and Food Studies. In addition to serving as an ambassador,... Read More
Miss Swan City 2019 — Kelty Zavitz, Miss Swan City, joins us as a Real Talk Brand Ambassador in 2019! In just three years, she graduated from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, with a degree in Elementary Education. In addition to serving as an ambassador, Kelty also dedicates her time to... Read More
MISS FLORIDA 2018 — Taylor Tyson is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Florida Atlantic University, accepted to Stetson University’s College of Law. Classically trained since age four, Taylor has studied piano with Van Cliburn winner Vladimir Viardo, at Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute, and at... Read More
MISS FLORIDA 2017 — Sara Zeng hosted more than 1- successful Real Talk presentations across the state of Florida. Sara graduated from Florida State University in 2017 with a degree in music education and plans to pursue a career teaching children about music. Sara... Read More
MISS FLORIDA 2016 — Courtney Sexton represented Orlando in the 2016 Miss Florida pageant and won the title on July 2, 2016. She was the first Miss Florida titleholder to represent the Real Talk campaign. As a spokesperson for the campaign, she visited 23 middle and high schools in Florida to educate... Read More