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. - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath