Pubdate: Wed, 20 Aug 2003
Source: Sun Herald (MS)
Copyright: 2003, The Sun Herald
Contact:  http://www.sunherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432
Author: BLAKE KAPLAN

CHOIR, BAND STUDENTS TO BE TESTED FOR DRUGS

PASCAGOULA - Choir and band students will undergo the same random drug 
testing now performed on athletes in the Pascagoula School District, the 
School Board decided Tuesday night.

District officials said their policies had not been updated in years, and 
that both athletes and choir and band students are classified the same by 
the Mississippi High School Activities Association. The district has been 
drug testing athletes since the 1990-91 school year.

"If you are a student representing our school in activities like that, then 
you should be a leader, be tested and held up to a little bit higher 
standard," said Paige Roberts, district spokeswoman. "And it is a safety 
issue."

More than 3,000 district athletes are eligible for the testing, Roberts 
said, but no more than 10 percent of them actually receive a test. The 
district spends about $5,000 a year on the program, which is designed to 
prevent drug abuse and educate students about the dangers of illegal drugs.

Roberts said district officials believe the drug tests have been effective 
over the years, largely because parents become involved after a student 
fails a drug test.

In other business, the board recognized two dozen students for earning 
perfect scores on the state Subject Area Tests. A breakdown of the 
students, by subject area:

Algebra I: Brittany Johnson, Brandon Simpson, Gautier High School; Sandi 
Brushaber, Aaron Chu, John Moore, Pascagoula High School; Evan Tyler, Amy 
Johnson, Colmer Middle School; Sara Hanson, Gautier Middle School; Jessica 
Bosarge, Marquale Fields, Audrey Hughes, Jamee Jones, Caroline McCormick, 
Drew Overby and Francisco Velasquez, Trent Lott Middle School.

Biology I: Hanna Skewes, Gautier High School; Donovan McMurray, Pascagoula 
High School.

U.S. History: Jordan Guy, Chris Miller, Adam Pearson, Genna Steadman, 
Gautier High School; Jacob Foster, Justin Lovorn and Erin Smith, Pascagoula 
High School.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart