Anti-Drug Speech given by
Fort Hill High School Student Scott Rice to DARE Graduates

Good afternoon.  My name is Scott Rice.  I will be graduating from Fort Hill High School this year.  I will be attending Frostburg State in the all, majoring in Elementary Education.  I also plan to have a part-time job.
Seven years ago, I graduated from the DARE program just like you are today.  The lessons I learned from this program had a huge impact on my life.  This program helped me to make wise decisions and stay on the right track to success.

You are all about to make a big step in your lives, going onto middle school.  You will be meeting new people and making new friends.  Your friends will have a big influence on your decisions in life, but don’t let them make decisions for you.  Always make your own decisions, and don’t give into peer pressure.  Don’t make decisions that will make your fiends happy or a decision that will make people think you are “cool.”  Make your own decisions.  Being involved in extracurricular activities such as sports, band and clubs helps to keep your life going in a positive direction.

The DARE program focuses on the skills need to prevent drug use, alcohol abuse, gang membership and violence.  All these things are happening in today’s world.  Each and every one of you will face difficult decisions during your lifetime, such as whether or not to do drugs or drink alcohol.  When you are faced with a difficult decision, it is always best to rely on what you have been taught by your parents, teachers and the lessons of the DARE program.  Choosing a life of drugs is not a good choice.  A life of drugs leads to a dead end.  People who are involved with drugs often times go to jails and sometimes they even die.  Choosing a life with good friends, trying your hardest in school and achieving everything you wish to do in life is the right way to go.  This life will lead you to your dreams.  There will be times that you will make mistakes, but that’s a part of life, and no one is perfect.  I know I have made mistakes, but you must learn from your mistakes so that next time you can correct them.

My best advice to all of you is to set a goal for yourself and try to meet that goal.  Setting a goal is the best way to start off on the right track.  Do not let anything stand in the way of your goals, especially drugs or alcohol.  Just say “no” to drugs.  When I first went to high school as a 9th grader I set a goal for myself, to be one of the best football players in the Cumberland area.  I did not let anything stand in my way to becoming a great football player.  I knew that drugs, alcohol and getting into trouble would cause me to mess up my only chance at achieving my goal.  I stayed away from all of the negative things and worked as hard as I could.  After four years of playing football I was offered a full scholarship to West Virginia Wesleyan to play football.  Setting that goal made me the person I am today.

I just want to wish all of you the best of luck in everything you do.  Make the most out of life and enjoy every moment because it all goes by quickly.  And you only have one change to get it right.  I want to thank you for letting me come in and talk to you today.  And I hope what I have to said helps you make the right decisions in the future. 

Scott Rice
Fort Hill High School Student

Message to Grandparents
By Jane Dawson
Member of the Allegany County Board of Education and Grandmother

Importance of Grandparents

1. You have the opportunity to develop a wonderful and different relationship with your grandchildren. 
   Talk with them often.
2. Care about them – you can have a tremendous chance to influence your grandchildren.
3. Be interested in their school work, friends and what they might want to do.
4. Essential – please clean out your medicine cabinet.  That is one place kids can get drugs.