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