Pubdate: Tue, 24 Jun 2008
Source: Cayman Net News (Cayman Islands)
Copyright: 2008 Cayman Net Ltd
Contact:  http://www.caymannetnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3700
Author: Debra Edwards
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

STUDENTS DARE TO WIN SUBMARINE RIDE

Ecstatic year six students at John A. Cumber Primary  School won a
ride on the Atlantis Submarine through  their participation in the
DARE programme.

Police Constable Nettie Bulgin taught the Drug Abuse  Resistance
Education programme to four year-six classes  at the school, in an
effort to educate young people  about the dangers of drugs.

The winning students were rewarded for creating the  best question
box, which comprises queries that they  had about drugs.

Accounting firm McGladrey & Pullen, Cayman, sponsored  the submarine
trip.

Ms Bulgin explained how the winners were chosen. "Four  (year six)
classes with over 99 students at John A.  Cumber Primary School
participated in the programme,  but this class won the Atlantis
Submarine ride because  of their team spirit and impressive artwork
displayed  on their DARE box, which is a question box that the
students create to ask queries about drugs that they  might be shy to
ask in front of everyone in their  class," she said.

The programme had its desired effect on the children.  "DARE has
taught us to be careful and that drugs are  harmful and can hurt us,"
explained 11-year-old Lashae  Ebanks.

Fellow student Gizelle Watler was enthusiastic about  the prize. "I am
excited to be here because I haven't  been on a submarine in a while,
and I get to see all  the fish and things that are under water."

Rolston Anglin, of McGladrey & Pullen, Cayman, and  Member of
Legislative Assembly (MLA) for West Bay,  spoke of the significance of
the programme.

"The DARE programme is important for children of this  age and my
partner Alex Bodden and I like to be  involved with anything that
educates and supports the  youth of this country," he said.

In addition, Mr Anglin explained his company's  involvement in
sponsoring the prize. "These children  earned this, so why not be part
of a success story?" he  said.

Year six teacher Rhuel Smith added, "It means a lot and  is important
that DARE has set out to teach our  children about the consequences of
drugs at an early  age, and we are thankful to them, McGladrey &
Pullen,  Cayman, and Atlantis Submarine for this trip."

The conscientious students and the rest of the year six  classes
received an added bonus when Ms Bulgin, on  behalf of DARE, threw them
a party on school grounds  after the submarine ride.
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath