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The mission of 'Kernersville Cares for Kids' is to
promote excellence in
drug-free leadership.
All Winston-Salem
Forsyth County High Schools are invited to compete for
the 'It's My Call' Trophy. Receiving this trophy is the
highest honor, the OSCAR of recognition for excellence in
drug-free leadership. The 'Pass on the Excellence' flames
that adorn the top of the award are made of heirloom quality
crystal. The base is of custom crafted walnut.
To win the trophy: Your school
must have the highest percentage of
students signed up pledging to be drug-free in the 'It's
My/Our Call'
Program. Your school will then keep the trophy for the year
and have
your name inscribed on the base along with Carver High
School which
created and piloted the 'It's My Call' program and Glenn
High School
which was top in the district last year with 87% of its
students pledging
to be drug-free and backing up that pledge by agreeing to a
random drug test.
DEADLINE: April 11, 2000 all student
names must be entered into the SIMS system.
YOUR CURRENT HIGH SCHOOL STANDINGS:
School
Number of Students
Number of Pledges
Percentage Of Pledges
Glenn
1063
995
94%
North
1338
1174
88%
Carver
973
819
84%
West
1724
1208
70%
Reynolds
1516
951
63%
East Forsyth
1461
849
58%
Parkland
1017
515
51%
Mt. Tabor
1556
589
38%
Forsyth Voc.
147
26
18%
Independence
264
0
0%
The following 19 students were
recognized as leaders in their schools for promoting
excellence in drug-free leadership. They are currently
staring in televised Public Service Announcements on Cable
2.
Their message also is being published in the Kernersville
News and is soon to air on local radio stations. These
public service announcements, which allow the students to
voice their opinion about living a drug-free life, were made
possible by 'Kernersville Cares for Kids', a local
non-profit organization.
Russell Lauten
Glenn High School
Senior Class President, Cross-Country team
(2000 MVP), Baseball, Public Address Announcer for football,
basketball and wrestling, Key Club, Nat'l Honors Society.
Message: "On the road to success, it is
important to understand the consequences of one's actions.
In order to make good decisions in life, you have to keep in
mind the big picture. One of the most important decisions
you will ever have to make in life is to keep yourself
drug-free. In doing so, you have made one step in the right
direction on your road to success."
Mira Culbert
Independence High School
Gymnastics, Cheerleading, Modeling, Aerobics,
member of the Phenomonal Women's Group.
Message: "I do gymnastics and I have asthma
whenever I think of smoking. I think of death because
smoking only leads to that you see. I would tell all kids
that a teacher once told me, 'if you want to be somebody and
you want to go somewhere, you better wake up and pay
attention.' Besides, I sing, and smoking would mess with my
vocals."
Russell Benham
Carver High School
Football, Track, "It's My call" VIP,
Crosby Scholar, selected for All City/County, All
Conference, All Northwest, All State
Message: "It's not good to do drugs because
first of all, I am an athlete and you could get caught bny
the random drug test. It could also slow you down and stop
you from getting where you have to go, and doing what you
have to do."
Terri Bost
East Forsyth High School
President of the East Forsyth "S.A.V.E.
chapter, National Honor Society, Future teachers of America,
Junior Deans, Interact Club.
Message: "Don't let others pressure you into
taking drugs or into something that is against your will.
Being drug free is something to be very proud of. By being
drug free, you are making a stand for what is right."
Bruce Wham
North Forsyth High School
Soccer, Track, SADD, active
in youth group and part of church band
Message: People are tired of hearing the phrase
'don't do drugs' because it comes across sounding preachy.
To most kids, its just some oblivious abstract rule people
make up because it is the 'right thing.' Well, I really have
seen kids who have been messed up by drugs. To me, the
message is real. I've experienced an awesome love from God
and drugs don't have any place with Him. He's got a life
waiting for you that's much more than a life with drugs.
That is what the anti-drugs thing is all about.
Amy Holbrook
West Forsyth High School
Executive board and club secretary for SADD,
Teen Court, Crosby Scholar, founding member of Shallowford
Baptist Church Youth Group.
Message: You don't have to do drugs to be all that. I don't
feel I need to gamble my life away by using drugs. The risk
of losing is higher than the price I would be willing to
pay. Let's face it. The only way to gain coveted
independence is to stay drug-free. Only the people that are
drug-free are truly free.
Annie McGinnis
Carver High School
President of CADDY, President of
Teen Forum, Vice-President Nat'l Honors Society, Vice-Pres.
Spanish
Club, Senior Rep of Key Club, Editor of the Yearbook, Team
Captain of the
Social Studies Academic Competition.
Message: My parents only had to tell me once not to
do drugs. The rest was left up to my good judgement. While
you can not be there to make your children's decisions for
them, it is up to you to lead them in the right direction.
Brooke Evans
Carver High School
President Key Club, Varsity
Cheerleader, Yearbook Student Life Editor, CADDY, National
Honors
Society, Quill & Scroll, Teen Forum, English Academic
Team.
Message: One of the biggest steps in growing up is
making your own decisions. Don't wait until your parents
tell you not to do drugs. Make the decision not to do them
on your own. Also remember not to fall into peer pressure.
Make an example of yourself and others will follow you.
Ellen Gwin
Reynolds High School
Girls Council, National Honors
Society, Vice-President SAVE/SADD, Junior Class Prom
Committee, Dancing
Boots
Message: I don't do drugs because I think
my life is worth too much to throw it all away. I am still
driving down the road of life and I am not ready to take a
dead end. Drugs are part of the problem and I am part of the
solution.
Thomas Miller
Reynolds High School
President of SAVE/SADD for 2
years, Starring as Julian Marsh in 42nd Street on March
22-24, National
Honor Society, Latin Club, Drama Club, Outdoor Club.
Message: There are too many problems today that
teenagers go through, like teen pregnancy, STD's, getting
into colleges; which cause tremendous amounts of stress. Add
to these problems a drug addiction and the teen facing so
much stress will deteriorate into nothing. Don't waste your
potential on something that destroys your life.
LaShanta Johnson
Glenn High School
All time leading score in
Basketball, All-Conference player of the year, Winston-Salem
Journal's
All-Northwest team all 4 years.
Message: Everybody has a dream for success, but some
people think it is just suppose to come to them. You have to
strive for what you want. I am here to let you know that
drugs are not the key. You need to keep your mind on your
goals and drugs will throw you off completely. Don't miss
out on your opportunity to excel in life because of drugs.
E.J. Furches III
East Forsyth High School
Vice Pres. SAVE, President
of Step Team, Crosby Scholar, Head Drum Major.
Message: Doing drugs is like putting holes in your
parachute. You feel free until reality hits you. So in other
words, don't mess up your life. Strive for what you believe
in. Just say no!
Erica Gaines
Independence High School
Phenomenal Women, Aerobics
Message: Being drug-free is wonderful. You can not do
drugs and achieve your goals. Many people think that doing
drugs can get them through the day. But we all know that
drugs don't get people anywhere. So being
drug-free is something that I can be really proud of. I am
very glad to be drug-free.
Candice Benbon
Parkland High School
President of Student body, Varsity Soccer
team, Crosby Scholar, Ensemble Member, Teacher Cadet
Message: In life, there are many obstacles that can
deter us from
reaching our goals. Why let drugs be one of them? I have set
high goals and aspirations for myself. It is because of who
I am and what I hope to achieve that I refuse to take drugs.
There needs to be more people, who take a stand, rise to the
occasion and be a part of the drug-free
movement.
Brandon Isaiah
Parkland High School
Football USA Today All-State, 2
years All-Conference, 1998 Offensive MVP, 1999 Pre-season
All-State, 1999
Shrine Bowl captain, Holder of 10 school rushing records,
Basketball
All-Conference, All-Region, UVA signee.
Message: Athletics is a skill. Education is a gift
and a great
opportunity. Getting involved in drugs may lead to your
missing out. Sense is common. You should use it to see
that you don't want to miss out on these great opportunities
that lay in front of you. Drug-free is the thing to be.
Samad Razzak
Glenn High School
Football All-Conference 2 years, Football Team
MVP 2 years, Pre-season All-State, BFS First Team
All-American as a Junior, Appalachian State signee as of
2-2-00.
Message: Athletics and education will take you a lot
further than alcohol and drugs. If you want to succeed and
reach your goals in life do what is right. Stay drug-free.
Stephanie Hunter
North Forsyth High School
President of SADD
Message: Being drug-free was the easiest decision I
have ever made.
Thanks to my family and peers, I learned the harmful effects
of drugs and alcohol early in life. I keep myself busy after
school with clubs and work, so I am never tempted. Drugs do
nothing but bring you down.
Cassie Kirby-Smith
North Forsyth High School
Secretary of SADD, HOSA
member
Message: You don't need drugs and alcohol to have a
good time.
Associate yourself with fun, responsible people and you'll
have a great time! I love to go out with friends and have
fun, but I don't use drugs
or alcohol.
Jennifer Burgess
Parkland High School
Marching Band Drum Major,
President of Fellowship of Christian Athletics, Vice
President DECA, Math Team, National Honors Society, Senior
Board, Secretary of Student Leadership Council.
Message: It takes more of a person to stand up for
what is right than to join the crowd and suffer the
consequences. Being drug-free is something to be proud of.
It is taking a stand for the community.
History of 'Kernersville Cares
for Kids' as presented to the
WS/FC School Board on March 14, 2000
On behalf of KCK--I want to begin by thanking
the School Board for instituting the 'It's My Call' program
district-wide in 1998. This program gives students the
opportunity to take a stand against drugs. They sign a
pledge and then back it up with a random urine test. And KCK
want to recognize the excellence of your leadership in
giving some visible means for students to take a stand.
Right about Christmas break in 1998
Superintendent Don Martin challenged Kernersville to take
the lead in providing incentives to their kids. The
Kernersville News put this challenge in print The
Kernersville Police Department took on the challenge And the
students at the two Kernersville high schools-Glenn and
East-responded by being in the top 3 in the district for
highest percentage of students taking a stand to be
drug-free. At Glenn High School 87% of the students pledged
to be drug-free--the highest participation in the district.
The top 3 schools had incentives for their kids.
The incentives in Kernersville were that each
student in 'It's My Call' got a free T-shirt and the winning
school between Glenn and East got a Victory Party with the
Police with free food and a DJ.
During the 1998-99 school year-it was
remarkable how the schools and the Police and the
Kernersville News all worked together to promote drug-free
leadership.
So July, 1999 these 3 co-sponsors got together
again along with 35 community leaders in Kernersville. This
time they wanted to do more. They wanted to support
the Kernersville Kids--but also reach out to all the other
high school students.
So last summer 6 committees were formed. One of the
committees was the TROPHY Committee, chaired by Ivey Redmon
and it provided a way to involve all the high schools. The
Trophy Committee's mission was to create a trophy that would
be the OSCAR of recognition in drug-free leadership. Also,
the trophy would carry the history of the 'It's My Call'
program on its base. If a school wants to be recorded in
history--it needs to come in 1st in the district for
being drug free. Another committee was the PUBLICITY
committee, chaired by Victoria Cullingham. And they got the
idea to let the kids promote being drug free to their peers.
Lets bring the best student role models together and let
them make a statement about being drug-free-PSA"s--
then lets put it in the newspaper and on television and on
the radio. Let's use kids from all 10 high schools.
The other committees included FUNDRAISING,
chaired by Arnold King, VICTORY PARTY, chaired by Officer
Mike Brim, T-SHIRT, chaired by Kim Simser, MIDDLE SCHOOL
CONTESTS, chaired by John Beaty.
So now that you have an overview of how the WS/FC
Schools, K-ville Police Dept,
and the Kernersville
News
all worked in harmony to support 'Kernersville Cares for
Kids.
To promote and recognize excellence in
drug-free leadership 1000 T-shirts were printed for Glenn
High School. They were designed by 10th grade student,
Derrick Bennett. For East Forsyth High School, 1500
T-shirts, designed by 10th grade student, Jesse Morton.
Cable 2 worked with Kernersville Cares for Kids
and produced four Public Service Announcements that are
currently being televised. They are also preparing PSA's for
the radio. And the Kernersville News is publishing the
photo's and quotes of high school students promoting a
drug-free life. All of the media messages have local Forsyth
County School students as the stars.
So this is a small taste of all the things that
have been happening with Kernersville Cares for Kids. And it
is all possible because there is a common unity--- or
community between the schools, the police, and the
newspaper.
At this meeting, the following people received
awards:
* Superintendent Don Martin, Jr., for his
excellent leadership with the WS/FC schools
* Chief Neal Stockton & Staff, for creating
'Kernersville Cares for Kids'
* Publisher John Ownesby, keeping the community
informed in the 'Kernersville News'
* Carver Principal Dan Piggott, for creating
and piloting the 'It's My Call' program
* Glenn Principal Adolphus Coplin, for leading
the WS/FC school district with 87% of his students enrolled
in the 'It's
My Call' program 1998-1999.
In conclusion--a lot of people want to know two things:
1) Is all of this effort really making a difference? The
answer is YES. According to the principals--- the students
are seeing that most kids don't do drugs. Also, the students
are seeing that the schools and the community cares about
them.
2) How all of this is being funded? It is being funded by
donations from businesses and families. And the two middle
schools in Kernersville have joined in-they are putting out
donation jugs--- and collecting money for the program. And
'Kernersville Cares for Kids' doesn't want to stop here.
They have big plans for next year. So if this looks like
something you would like
to support--- give KCK a call at 996-2294.
In closing, it is hoped that other communities
surrounding the other 8 high schools will find a way to come
together-as has happened in Kernersville-to give their
students that extra support and encouragement through
incentives.
Thanks
to the generous support of the following people, we
now have
$7,279 towards our $10,000 dollar goal:
Richard
& Linda Bagley
Helen K. Jennet
William M. Giles
East Forsyth H.S.
Interact Club
Barbara H. Fulp
Central Carolina
Bank
Ray &
Margaret Burke
Aubery Morris
Kiwanis Club of
Kernersville
Pine Printing
J. Harmon
Linville
Wachovia Bank
Ronald E. Spivey
BB&T Bank
Ralph & Brenda
Neal
Southern Pride Car
Wash
Wolfe & Collins,
P.A.
Curtis Swisher
Hilco Transport
Kernersville Police
Dept.
Anonymous
Lexington State Bank
Hall’s
Heating and Air Conditioning
Tony Alford
Marco
Garber Eye Care
Sedge Garden Animal
Hospital
Roadway Express
Bunker Hill U.M.C.
Circle #1
Don & Rita Martin
Marian & Tom
Fitzpatrick
Sarah Larrimore
Margarette D. Mazuco
W-S/FC School Board
Members
Ivey & Doris Redman
Arnold G. King
Rotary Club of
Kernersville
Glenn H.S. Interact
Club
John & Connie
Owensby
Joe & Kay Pinnix
Dick & Jan
Strohmeier
Todd Pegram
Donald Reeser
Procoaters, Inc.
Anonymous
Closetworks,
Inc.
Bruce & Patty Hill
Charlie & Debbie
Baker
State Farm Insurance
Irving & Paula
Neal
Dixie Corvettes
Andy’s Texaco Xpress
Lube
Middle American Homes
Ronni’s Restaurant
PTR
Jennet Steele
Kernersville Family
YMCA
VFW Post 5352
HELP Sources, Inc
Edna Grubbs
De. Robert Dalton
Star Paper TubeHeather
Camp
Reginald &
Carobeth Bennet
Davis Class-Bunker
Hill UMC
Joan Irwin
Kernersville Civitan
Club
New Day Cleaning Service
W.J. & Shirley O’Brien
