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.