Real Talk

Educating and Empowering Young People

Real Talk has reached more than 15,000 high school and college students across the state of Florida through honest discussions about the physical and mental effects of substance abuse.

What is Real Talk?

Real Talk is a combined initiative of Advanced Recovery Systems and the Miss Florida Scholarship Pageant. Real Talk educates Florida high school and college students about the effects of substance abuse through in-person assemblies with Miss Florida or other pageant participants.

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+.

Check out Michaela McLean’s, Miss Florida 2020, Virtual Real Talk Event: Watch Now

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 book your Real Talk presentation, complete the form below.