2,000 AREA FIFTH-GRADERS COMPLETE D.A.R.E. PROGRAM

It seems a Cumberland Heights Elementary fifth-grader and her D.A.R.E.
instructor, Mike Davis, have solved the mystery of the clothes dryer and
missing sock -- whatever you put in is what you get out. Ashley Lallo, one
of three students chosen to read her Drug Abuse Resistance Education essay
to nearly 2,000 peers during Thursday's graduation ceremony, told the crowd
of parents and dignitaries that violent video games, television and movies
generate violence in people.

Ashley's essay focused on the four prime directives in D.A.R.E. -- saying
no to drugs, remaining free from violence, resisting peer pressure and
staying out of youth gangs.

"A lot of people, even at my age, are being exposed to drugs," Ashley said
following D.A.R.E. graduation in Austin Peay State University's Dunn
Center. "If we didn't have D.A.R.E. in fifth grade, then we'd be unprepared
for some of the things we're going to face in middle school and later in life."

Shatari Burton, a Moore Elementary student, was chosen by Miss Tennessee
Stephanie Culberson, the event's guest speaker, to help with a couple of
tasks. First he was asked to display his talent -- a karate side kick.
Then, he and two other students judged Culberson's piano rendition of
Chopin's "Fantasy Impromptu."

Later he was called back to center stage to help Culberson say goodbye.
While Shatari was using both hands to give the crowd his "pageant wave,"
Culberson placed a tiara atop his head, prompting roars of laughter from
the crowd.

"I think D.A.R.E. is an important program," Shatari said. "I learned never
to mess with drugs because it can do damage to my body and that I shouldn't
give in to peer pressure."

Donovan Young, also chosen to judge Culberson's keystrokes (he awarded her
a 10), said D.A.R.E. causes one to stop and think before doing something.

"I think the classes have given me the power to say no, and now I know why
I should say no to drugs," Donovan said.

Using her own experiences to relay her message, Culberson explained life is
about choices -- right or wrong ones -- and the consequences of those
decisions.

D.A.R.E. instructor Derrick Baker told the graduates they have a new challenge.

"Today is the day you stop being D.A.R.E. students and start being D.A.R.E.
graduates," he said. "You ... are our hope for the future."