Pubdate: Tue, 07 Jun 2005
Source: Daily News-Tribune (WV)
Copyright: 2005 Keyser Mineral Daily News-Tribune
Contact: (304)788-3398
Website: http://www.newstribune.info/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1959
Author: Jennifer Westfall, Tribune Staff Writer

SHEARS NAMED BURLINGTON PRIMARY'S OUTSTANDING DARE STUDENT

Laken Shears was announced as Burlington Primary School's Outstanding
DARE Student.

Shears and 22 of her peers received completion certificates from DARE
Officer Craig Fraley during the program's graduation ceremony Monday
afternoon.

Fraley said Shears was selected due to her overall performance in the
classroom and her end-of-year essay. Fraley asked the students to
write an essay detailing what they had learned from the DARE program.

Shears said in her essay that she learned "what alcohol, tobacco and
other drugs do to your body."

"I have learned what smoking and drinking can do to you in the long
run like getting lung cancer. It turns your teeth yellow and your
fingernails and you will smell like an ash tray. You will suffer from
shortness of breath and you get colds and other respiratory problems.

"My commitment is that I won't drink, do drugs or smoke because you
can get addicted to them and you will probably lose all of your
friends because they don't want (you) smoking, drinking or doing any
kind of drugs. So I feel very good about DARE. It has taught me to say
No!" she explained.

Receiving special awards for their essays were Joshua Biser, first
place; Randy Sites, second place; and Jamie Burns, third place.

Biser said he was "glad" he had a chance to participate in the DARE
classes.

"I have learned the negative effects of using drugs, alcohol and
tobacco. I have learned how to use the decision making model - define,
assess, respond and evaluate.

"I am glad we discussed personal pressure situations. It is important
to put into practice what we have learned. I also like the friendship
foundations. I can be a good friend and not use tobacco, drugs and
alcohol and encourage my friends to stay drug free. I am glad we had
this program at school," he commented.

Sites felt the DARE program was "a good way for children to learn more
about the results of using tobacco, drugs and alcohol."

"I have learned that tobacco can cause cancer. Using drugs will affect
your brain and body. Drugs are also addictive and illegal...I have
also learned that people, even friends, can try to pressure you into
doing these things.

"I promise never to use tobacco, drugs, drink alcohol or anything that
will bring harm to myself or others. I also promise that I will always
say no to peer pressure," he stated.

Burns said he "learned a lot in DARE class."

"(I learned) not to drink or smoke or take any harmful drugs. I
learned how to say no thanks or give reasons not to do drugs. I have
also learned how to refuse drugs and not take pills or any other
medicines that I'm not supposed to.

"Drugs can kill you or give you cancer. You could die a slow death.
Drugs can mess your brain up. I really liked the DARE program because
it taught me drug abuse and what it can do," he said.

Participation awards were given to Shanese Hoalcraft, Kierra Rohrbaugh
and Jordan Tillman.

Other graduates were Jennifer Borror, Josh Brafford, Logan Caldwell,
Cole Capaldi, Ian Charlton, Katie Cook, Roman Crawford, Destiney
Doman, Malinda Litten, Josh Moore, Amber Streets, Jamie Taylor, Rodney
Taylor, Matt Wratchford, T.J. Norvell and Amanda Shaver.

Each student also received a DARE T-shirt.

Burlington Primary School's PTO donated funds to buy the materials
needed to take part in the DARE program.

Before the students returned to class, Fraley gave some advice for the
students to follow.

"You now have a big responsibility. You are no longer DARE students.
You are the teachers. Your are role models for your younger siblings
and friends. You must lead by example. You need to set a good example
for them to follow in your footsteps." 
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MAP posted-by: SHeath(DPFFlorida)