Pubdate: Wed, 21 Dec 2005 Source: Mount Shasta Herald (CA) Copyright: 2005 Mt. Shasta News Contact: http://www.mtshastanews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3515 Author: Earl Bolender Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.) DUNSMUIR STUDENTS DARE TO SAY NO TO DRUGS Dunsmuir Elementary School sixth grader Krystale Palmer said if her grandmother had "just said no" to tobacco, she wouldn't have died of lung cancer. Palmer was one of six DES Drug Abuse Resistance Education graduates who gave presentations about what the DARE program means to them. The presenters were among 19 Dunsmuir sixth graders who received DARE certificates of completion during a special graduation ceremony last Wednesday that was attended by county, city and school officials. Siskiyou County Sheriff's Department DARE officer, deputy David Nye, oversaw the ceremony that was attended by District 2 supervisor LaVada Erickson, sheriff Rick Riggins and Dunsmuir mayor John Fisher. For DES, last week's graduation ceremony was the start of a new era of DARE education at the school, which has not had the program for a few years. Nye gave special thanks to new DES principal Kale Riccomini for bringing DARE back to the Dunsmuir school. He also praised the commitment of the sixth graders, and their parents who have fully supported the program. "These graduates faithfully completed their work book and turned in their assignments on time each week," Nye said. "I'm proud of each and every one of them." For their willingness to speak in front of the class, parents and officials who attended the ceremony about the importance of saying no to drugs, Nye presented Palmer, Zachary Kaufmann, Allie Belzer, Dana Williams, Jeremy Cox and Nicky LeGuellec with medals of honor for "your bravery." Among the comments made by the speakers were, "I will never use tobacco because I don't want my grandchildren to see me suffer and die," "Give your peers who want you to try drugs the cold shoulder," "There are a lot of people in jail because of drugs," "I think DARE is really cool because it teaches you that you can die from drugs," "Drugs hurt your heart, lungs and other body parts," "If you use drugs, you can waste your life in prison forever" and "Drugs can lead to a painful death and if I used them my mom would kill me." Assisting Nye in honoring the DARE graduates last Wednesday in the DES junior high quad were Erickson, Riggins, DES board president Lori Padilla, board clerk Tony Congi, sixth grade teacher Donna Clark who presented the certificates as well as DARE momentos, including t-shirts and bumper stickers. Fisher presented each graduate with certificates of recognition from the City of Dunsmuir. The special guests gave the graduates some words of wisdom, encouraging them to always remember what they have learned from deputy Nye and stay drug, alcohol and tobacco free for the rest of their lives. Erickson said the graduates commitment to a drug free lifestyle is more than simply saying no. "It's a hard word to say sometimes and can even be a harder thing to do," she said. "Each of you have the potential to make the choice of what you want to do, what you want to be. Don't let drugs take that choice away from you. "You are all to be commended for taking this first step," she said. "It demonstrates that you want to keep the world around you a little better place." Congi, who is Dunsmuir's community service specialist, enforcing the city code in addition to being on the school board, told the graduates that saying no to drugs is important. "You are the people who will lead all of us later in life," Congi said. "Using drugs is something that will follow you through your life. You won't be able to get that job you really want. Be sure you stay drug free." Fisher said it was an honor for him to have been able to attend the ceremony. "You kids have gone the extra mile," he said. "Your city is proud of you. Looking out in the audience, I can see the pride in your parents' and teachers' eyes." Riggins praised Nye for his commitment to teach DARE to tomorrow's leaders and the willingness of Riccomini and superintendent Mike Michelon to allow the program to be taught at the school. "This is a wonderful way for our youth to take that first step in being drug free," Riggins said. Riccomini gave special praise to Nye for his efforts in teaching Siskiyou County sixth graders about the consequences of using drugs, alcohol and tobacco. "I think everyone should give deputy Nye a round of applause for the things he does," the principal said. "When I first met him, he pulled a card that was given to him from kindergartners and first graders, which he said was the most rewarding thing he had received. This told me he's a guy who really cares about our youth." In addition to words of praise at the ceremony, Congressman Wally Herger sent his congratulations to the graduates. In addition, Nye played a tape from the White House, sending President Bush's thanks to the students for their commitment in the fight against drugs. This year's DES DARE graduates were Daniel Ballard, Allie Belzer, Skylar Calligori, Jeremy Cox, Daulton Davis, Cito De Los Santos, Mark Dempsey, Nicky LeGuellec, Zachary Kaufmann, Jacob Mekeel, Taylor Mitchell, Cayton Nicholas, Skylar Padula, Krystale Palmer, Dayne Powers, Darin Schmidt, Dana Williams, Colton Wirth and Jennifer Wirth. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom