DRUMMERS ADD NATIVE TOUCH TO SAMSON DARE GRAD

The energy of a daytime talk show permeated the Nipishikopahk School
DARE graduation.

The Bear Spirit drummers, composed of Grades 5 and 6 students, added
an almost mystical ambiance to the ceremony.

DARE stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education. Founded by police and
schools in Los Angeles in 1983, it is now taught in more than 54
countries around the world.

DARE is a police officer-led series of classroom lessons which teaches
kids how to resist peer pressure, avoid involvement in drugs, gangs
and violence and live productive drug and violence-free lives.

With microphone in hand and a huge audience of more than 87 people,
Const. Richard Huculiak peppered the audience with questions at the
Samson Middle School.

"What was the 'H' word?" he asked. "Health!" the crowd of fifth and
sixth graders responded enthusiastically, reminded by the affable
constable to keep their minds and bodies pure.

" 'M' is for money. Spend it one the things you like, not on drugs,"
he said, while 'T' is for trouble. Instead of getting involved in
gangs, "you can go to school with that future."

Parent Norella Morin praised the 10-lesson program.

"I love it. I'm glad they have this program for children because it
shows them a lot. They should have brought it in long ago," she said.
"Our community should get together and talk about things like this."

With the gentle support of teachers Andrew Fulks, Craig Letendre and
Becky Omeasoo, the 38 graduates shared their reasons for taking the
program. "I learned what drugs could do to people and how it affects
them. I learned what crack cocaine does to your brain," said Grade 6
graduate Morningsong Soosay.

Others said, "When I grow up, I want to be a cop or a cadet leader,"
"I want to buy a house and a car so I can go to work," "alcohol can
cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome" and "I have a goal to be a teacher.
Don't let drugs take away your power."

As the personal commitments came to a close, some children danced with
friends while others hugged their parents. "I feel happy she took the
program and about the things she told me at home," said parent Judy
Applegarth. "I'm a smoker myself and my daughter told me to stop."

The other proud grads from Samson were Marlena Cabry, Nikkita Crier,
Carolyn Dennehy, Jasmine Johnson, Aaron Lightning, Kaitlin Lightning,
Anthony Omeasoo, Cheylynn Omeasoo-Boysis, Ryan Boysis, Josphine
Saddleback, Colby Pruden, Deirdre Applegarth, Nicole Bruno, Delany
Buffalo, Waseskwan Buffalo, Meagan Bull, Cheylene Lightning, Paskwaw
Lightning, Clinton Morin, Dalton Nepoose, Debra Omeasoo, Cherisse
Pruden, Effrem Saddleback, Tanisha Saddleback, Darienne Soosay,
Cheyanne Swampy, Ashley Baptiste, Marcel Beebe, La-Tisha Crane,
Latisha Dennehy, Spencer Lightning, Justice Montour, Marcel Montour,
Chasity Saddleback, Miranda Saddleback, Leona Simon and Randi
Smith-Applegarth.