Pubdate: Wed, 21 Dec 2005
Source: Mount Shasta Herald (CA)
Copyright: 2005 Mt. Shasta News
Contact:  http://www.mtshastanews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3515
Author: Earl Bolender
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

DUNSMUIR STUDENTS DARE TO SAY NO TO DRUGS

Dunsmuir Elementary School sixth grader Krystale Palmer  said if her 
grandmother had "just said no" to  tobacco, she wouldn't have died of lung 
cancer.

Palmer was one of six DES Drug Abuse Resistance  Education graduates who 
gave presentations about what  the DARE program means to them.

The presenters were among 19 Dunsmuir sixth graders who  received DARE 
certificates of completion during a  special graduation ceremony last 
Wednesday that was  attended by county, city and school officials.

Siskiyou County Sheriff's Department DARE officer,  deputy David Nye, 
oversaw the ceremony that was  attended by District 2 supervisor LaVada 
Erickson,  sheriff Rick Riggins and Dunsmuir mayor John Fisher.

For DES, last week's graduation ceremony was the start  of a new era of 
DARE education at the school, which has  not had the program for a few years.

Nye gave special thanks to new DES principal Kale  Riccomini for bringing 
DARE back to the Dunsmuir  school. He also praised the commitment of the 
sixth  graders, and their parents who have fully supported the  program.

"These graduates faithfully completed their work book and turned in their 
assignments on time each week," Nye said. "I'm proud of each and every one 
of them."

For their willingness to speak in front of the class, parents and officials 
who attended the ceremony about the importance of saying no to drugs, Nye 
presented Palmer, Zachary Kaufmann, Allie Belzer, Dana Williams, Jeremy Cox 
and Nicky LeGuellec with medals of honor for "your bravery."

Among the comments made by the speakers were, "I will never use tobacco 
because I don't want my grandchildren to see me suffer and die," "Give your 
peers who want you to try drugs the cold shoulder," "There are a lot of 
people in jail because of drugs," "I think DARE is really cool because it 
teaches you that you can die from drugs," "Drugs hurt your heart, lungs and 
other body parts," "If you use drugs, you can waste your life in prison 
forever" and "Drugs can lead to a painful death and if I used them my mom 
would kill me."

Assisting Nye in honoring the DARE graduates last Wednesday in the DES 
junior high quad were Erickson, Riggins, DES board president Lori Padilla, 
board clerk Tony Congi, sixth grade teacher Donna Clark who presented the 
certificates as well as DARE momentos, including t-shirts and bumper 
stickers. Fisher presented each graduate with certificates of recognition 
from the City of Dunsmuir.

The special guests gave the graduates some words of wisdom, encouraging 
them to always remember what they have learned from deputy Nye and stay 
drug, alcohol and tobacco free for the rest of their lives.

Erickson said the graduates commitment to a drug free lifestyle is more 
than simply saying no.

"It's a hard word to say sometimes and can even be a harder thing to do," 
she said. "Each of you have the potential to make the choice of what you 
want to do, what you want to be. Don't let drugs take that choice away from 
you.

"You are all to be commended for taking this first step," she said. "It 
demonstrates that you want to keep the world around you a little better place."

Congi, who is Dunsmuir's community service specialist, enforcing the city 
code in addition to being on the school board, told the graduates that 
saying no to drugs is important.

"You are the people who will lead all of us later in life," Congi said. 
"Using drugs is something that will follow you through your life. You won't 
be able to get that job you really want. Be sure you stay drug free."

Fisher said it was an honor for him to have been able to attend the ceremony.

"You kids have gone the extra mile," he said. "Your city is proud of you. 
Looking out in the audience, I can see the pride in your parents' and 
teachers' eyes."

Riggins praised Nye for his commitment to teach DARE to tomorrow's leaders 
and the willingness of Riccomini and superintendent Mike Michelon to allow 
the program to be taught at the school.

"This is a wonderful way for our youth to take that first step in being 
drug free," Riggins said.

Riccomini gave special praise to Nye for his efforts in teaching Siskiyou 
County sixth graders about the consequences of using drugs, alcohol and 
tobacco.

"I think everyone should give deputy Nye a round of applause for the things 
he does," the principal said. "When I first met him, he pulled a card that 
was given to him from kindergartners and first graders, which he said was 
the most rewarding thing he had received. This told me he's a guy who 
really cares about our youth."

In addition to words of praise at the ceremony, Congressman Wally Herger 
sent his congratulations to the graduates. In addition, Nye played a tape 
from the White House, sending President Bush's thanks to the students for 
their commitment in the fight against drugs.

This year's DES DARE graduates were Daniel Ballard, Allie Belzer, Skylar 
Calligori, Jeremy Cox, Daulton Davis, Cito De Los Santos, Mark Dempsey, 
Nicky LeGuellec, Zachary Kaufmann, Jacob Mekeel, Taylor Mitchell, Cayton 
Nicholas, Skylar Padula, Krystale Palmer, Dayne Powers, Darin Schmidt, Dana 
Williams, Colton Wirth and Jennifer Wirth.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom