Neshely Arias has something to say with anti-drinking message in #IdRatherBe campaign

Neshely Arias is a star, and not just because she has her face and message on a billboard.

The billboard simply provided Arias a platform for her stardom.

“I do feel like a star,” said Arias, as humbly as a star can be. “People are always reaching out to me and asking me, ‘Is that you on the billboard?’ And I’m like, ‘yeah.’ My family and friends talk about how famous I am, how I look so pretty, and it’s a great message to send.”

Arias is a multi-sport junior at Lebanon High School. Over the past few months, billboards have been popping up around the county with her photo and the tagline, “I’d rather serve up aces than drinks.”

The billboard is part of the Community Health Council of Lebanon County’s #IdRatherBe initiative to discourage underage drinking and substance abuse. Arias was one of five local students pitching that activity and activities can lead to a healthier lifestyle.

The Community Health Council has received funding from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s Reducing Underage and Dangerous Drinking Grant Program for the past 16 years to support youth-focused campaigns that discourage underage drinking.

Locally, campaigns are shaped in part by CHC’s Youth Advisory Board, a countywide student-led group. The #IdRatherBe campaign is one of CHC’s signature efforts funded through the PLCB program, which has awarded nearly $25 million in grants statewide since 1999.

“It was exciting,” said Arias. “I’m a person who likes to be a good representative. It meant more to me because not only was the message viewed in school, but also outside of school.”

When Arias was asked to be part of the campaign, she knew what she was getting herself into, or at least she thought she did. She thought the #IdRatherBe campaign was meant to be disseminated through posters.

But the bigger the message, the bigger the medium.

“I was driving, and I was on my way to Texas Roadhouse in Palmyra when I first saw my billboard,” said Arias, “and I was in shock. I didn’t know I was going to be on a billboard. I thought I was going to be on a poster. I was like, ‘Wait. Is that me? Yeah, that is me.’

“Then there was another time when I was driving to PT (physical therapy). And I was like, ‘Wait. That’s me again.’”

Seven months ago, Arias and a LHS classmate were photographed in the gymnasium at Lebanon Junior High School as part of the #IdRatherBe campaign.

The reels and photography were produced by Simone Associates and the billboards and posters with support from Level 11. The billboards and posters complement 15-second reels that are viewable on Facebook.

“They were looking for volunteers and right fits, and some of the teachers volunteered me,” said Arias.

According to the Community Health Council, 91% of Lebanon County students are not drinking alcohol. The local nonprofit reports that there has been a significant drop in teenage drinking by 8th- to 12th-graders over the past decade.

The Community Health Council also says that 32% of local students who reported consuming alcohol said they got it from their parents.

“I don’t drink,” said Arias. “I do know students who do drink. I think it’s a big problem, especially in my Class of 2027. A lot of my classmates involve themselves to feel cool.”

Not only does Arias practice what she preaches off the volleyball court, she also practices what she preaches on it. Serving aces for the Cedars’ girls’ volleyball squad during the fall scholastic sports season is just part of her game.

“I’ve been playing volleyball since the seventh grade,” said Arias. “I think to my team, I’m one of the best players. I’m a big hitter and I’m a good server. At the end of this year, I tore my ACL and I’m on my return to playing volleyball.

“One time I remember, I served like seven aces in-a-row. Not this year, but last year.”

Volleyball is just one of the things Arias would rather be doing. She is a hurdler for the Lebanon High girls’ track and field team in the spring and leads cheers in support of classmates competing in other sports.

“The message I was trying to get across was that there are so many things to involve yourself in,” she said. “For me personally, I’m a student-athlete. I’d rather be playing sports. On the side, I’m looking to go into marine biochemistry or marine biology, so I like to going to the beach and aquariums, and just getting ready for my career.

“I do want people to know there are other options in the outside world. You really shouldn’t put yourself in a hole.”

By taking care of her present, Arias, who also serves as president of Lebanon High School’s Class of 2027, is setting herself up for a bright future. She is in the process of turning plans into realities.

“My plans for the future are to stay off drugs to be sharp,” said Arias. “I do want to play sports in college. I do want to go out of state to study at the ocean.”

To serve others, Arias must first serve herself.