Pubdate: Wed, 26 May 2004 Source: Redding Record Searchlight (CA) Copyright: 2004 Record Searchlight - The E.W. Scripps Co. Contact: http://www.redding.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/360 Author: Christina Lucarotti FIFTH-GRADERS LAUDED AT D.A.R.E. AWARDS RALLY The Redding Convention Center roared with the sounds of nearly 1,000 enthusiastic fifth-graders Tuesday during the annual D.A.R.E. awards rally. Students from 14 schools celebrated graduating from the 17-week Drug Abuse Resistance Education program with stomping, cheering and boisterous applause. Redding police Chief Leonard Moty congratulated the rowdy bunch and encouraged them to resist peer pressure. He asked the crowd what they will say when older kids offer them drugs or alcohol in the coming years. The raucous answer: "No." D.A.R.E. officers Linda Gisske and Mike Martin have been teaching the students the dangers of drugs, alcohol and violence during one-hour sessions once a week at schools. The curriculum includes eight ways to say no, different types of peer pressure and decision-making skills, Gisske said. "I don't think kids can hear the right message enough," Gisske said. While fifth grade may seem young, the program aims to give kids tools for fighting peer pressure before they are faced with it, officials say. Gisske said having positive contact with police officers also allows students to see law enforcement in a good light. But, she said, parents are the ones with the most influence over their children. She says the three most common gateway drugs for parents to be aware of are tobacco, alcohol and marijuana. The rally's main event was the announcement of the top 10 poster and essay winners, for which there were hundreds of entries, as well as the D.A.R.E. students of the year. Alexandra Wilkinson, 11, from Alta Mesa Elementary School read her first-place essay at the rally. She said she learned through the D.A.R.E. program that drugs and violence are not for her. "It's not like you can wake up another day and it will go away," Alexandra said after the rally. "Drugs are permanent." Stacy Oldham from Mistletoe Elementary School won first place for her poster. 2004 D.A.R.E. Students of the Year A student from each school was honored Tuesday at the annual D.A.R.E. awards rally. Trevor Silva, Alta Mesa Elementary Jaspreet Gill, Bonny View Elementary Tyler Stevenson, Boulder Creek Elementary Kayla Bryan, Buckeye Elementary Jose Sanchez, Cypress Elementary Kayly Bethany, Juniper Academy Faith Reid, Lassen View Elementary Travis Saito, Manzanita Elementary Gabrielle Oleari, Mistletoe Elementary Brittany Solinger, Rother Elementary Janice Goekler, St. Joseph Justine Coats, Shasta Meadows Elementary Kathryn Abbott, Sycamore Elementary Amy Holden, Turtle Bay Elementary - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake