Pubdate: Mon, 16 Feb 2004
Source: Poughkeepsie Journal (NY)
Copyright: 2004 Poughkeepsie Journal
Contact:  http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1224
Author: Michelle J. Lee
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

INSPIRED BY DARE, TEEN WORKS TO ENTERTAIN, EDUCATE

While many teenagers remember the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program 
as something they did in elementary school, for Robyn Elder the DARE 
lessons carried through her high school years.

The 18-year-old Hyde Park resident started the DARE Youth Committee in 
February 2001 while attending Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School. It was 
an alternative to just hanging out.

"The main idea of the group is to keep kids busy and keep them out of 
trouble," she said.

She pointed out there aren't many activities for teenagers in Hyde Park and 
they might start experimenting with alcohol and drugs. The idea to start 
the committee came to Elder when she started helping her stepfather, Hyde 
Park Police Department DARE Officer Robert Benson, with his lessons at 
Haviland Middle School.

"It wasn't as big of a deal when I was a kid, but as I got involved with my 
stepdad's work, I started being more interested," she said. "I was reading 
the essays the kids wrote, attending graduations. It was more hands-on and 
then I got the realization of what it was all about."

Slew of activities

The DARE Youth Committee has more than 20 members, with kids ranging from 
seventh to 10th grade. The committee organizes events such as the Halloween 
Hayride at Hackett Hill Park.

Another event was the spring "lock in," where teenagers spend a night 
listening to the story of a recovering alcoholic, followed by activities 
like dancing and games. Elder said she hopes to have another one in April 
or May.

Throughout the year, the group helps the Haviland Middle School DARE 
program and the Hyde Park Recreation Department. The committee also donated 
$200 to the Haviland Parent Teacher Association and $250 to the DARE program.

Diane Cullen, Hyde Park recreation leader, highly praises their work. "It's 
a terrific group. They're a terrific group of kids that work very hard and 
give back to the community," said Cullen, whose son, John, 13, is a member.

What impressed Cullen the most was the dedication the kids showed, 
especially during the recreation department's annual Easter Egg Hunt, when 
they were stuffing hundreds of eggs with candy and helping the younger 
children find treats.

"Middle school and high school are harder ages, especially middle school. 
They aren't old enough to drive and you want to steer them in the right 
direction, coming from a parent's point of view," she said. "They all seem 
to be good kids and very active."

A great example

Officer Benson said he was thankful for their help. Elder and the rest of 
the committee members also act as role models for the sixth-graders at 
Haviland Middle School.

"It's always helpful to have extra hands involved and it's different when 
you have kids there ... when you have other kids telling you (not to use 
drugs), it gives more credence to what they're saying," he said.

While Elder now attends Dutchess Community College, she still manages to 
find time for the committee, juggling classes and three part-time jobs.

She said she's enjoyed being with the group and is learning how to write 
grants.

Future activities Elder will suggest to the committee include organizing a 
spaghetti dinner for senior citizens, planting flowers by town hall and the 
police building, and adopting a highway.

Eventually, Elder wants to be a cruise ship director, possibly for Disney, 
and start her own travel agency, she said.

But for now, Elder wants to encourage other students to join the committee. 
Membership is open to anyone who graduated from the DARE program and they 
meet twice a month, she said.

NEIGHBOR

ROBYN ELDER

Age: 18.

Home: Village of Hyde Park.

Education: Attends Dutchess Community College, 2003 Franklin Delano 
Roosevelt High School graduate.

Hobbies: DARE Youth Committee, movies, shopping, exercising.

- -- For information on the DARE Youth Committee, call 845-229-0331.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom