SAYING NO TO DRUGS IS CRAZY COOL

Students Celebrate Red Ribbon Week And Commit Themselves
To Being Drug Free

Seventh-grader Philip Russo was afraid he'd fall asleep during
Friday's drug-free assembly, the last in a line-up of Red Ribbon Week
events at Southside Fundamental.

But when the Knucle Headz, a St. Petersburg rap duo, got on stage and
screamed, "We're drug free and we're ready to have a party," Russo was
wide awake.

The lights dimmed, the speakers blared and the students jumped and
screamed.

The Knucle Headz - Corey Thornton, 28, and Lee Teharte, 20 - rapped
about drug abuse, bullies and education:

Get your work done,

Stay in school,

Don't be no fool

Students across the country celebrated Red Ribbon Week by
participating in activities and signing drug-free pledges last week.

Some, like those at Cross Bayou Elementary, donated canned food,
brought stuffed animals to school and marched across campus Monday
morning. Those at Gulf Beaches Elementary attended a puppet show and
wore red Friday.

At Southside Fundamental, students wore slippers Monday, wacky socks
Tuesday and boots Wednesday.

"As they wear those crazy socks, they're reinforcing their commitments
to stay drug free," said Jennifer Moore, a Southside Fundamental
teacher who helped coordinate the week's events.

Assistant principal Chris Ateek said the Knucle Headz's performance
was "an entertaining way" to reinforce the drug-free lessons talked
about in class during the week.

"The kids were dancing and enjoying the music while getting a positive
message," he said.

The Knucle Headz began writing "regular music for clubs" three years
ago.

"Then one day, we sat down and wrote 'Say No To Drugs,' " Teharte
said.

Now, they have about a dozen songs they perform for schools, youth
groups and neighborhood events.

"Everything is easier to learn with music," Teharte said. "It's how
you learn your ABCs. We figured kids would understand our message a
lot better this way."

Students agreed.

"Everyone in middle school can relate to music," seventh-grader Rachel
Chase said. "That kind of music with that kind of message was really,
really effective."

Russo, who wore a backward T-shirt for "Turn your back on drugs day"
Friday, said the Knucle Headz "taught us that drugs can mess you up
and mess up your education and tear apart your life," he said.