STUDENTS DEBATE, DONATE AT STATE CONFERENCE

Montana high school and middle school student leaders took stands Tuesday
against both random drug testing and community service as a requirement for
students to graduate.

The 900 students attending the Montana Association of Student Councils
convention in Great Falls also approved a resolution urging districts to
offer equal amounts of healthy and unhealthy food products in schools.

The students debated those topics in earlier sessions at the University of
Great Falls.

Here's a summary of the resolutions the group later voted to adopt at Great
Falls High:

* While the student convention is "staunchly opposed to drug use in our
schools," it opposed any random drug-testing program.

The students said testing only of kids involved in athletics and other
extracurricular activities could deter students from taking part in
positive activities. They also noted that the Montana Constitution has a
specific and stronger right to privacy than the U.S. Constitution.

* The student convention "in no way" supports community service as a
graduation requirement.

Great Falls Central Catholic High Principal Hugh Smith and some of his
students supported such a requirement, which Central students said they enjoy.

But the resolution pooh-poohed the idea, saying community service should be
a choice and those forced to serve could feel alienated or punished.
Besides, most high school students are busy with schoolwork, clubs, sports
and other activities, it said.

* The student group urged districts to offer students nutritious food and
beverage choices, including equal amounts of healthy and "unhealthy" food
in vending machines, lunches and concessions. The resolution also urged
adequate nutrition education for both students and parents.

In an earlier debate, Cut Bank senior Nacole Light argued with passion and
humor in favor of random drug testing.

Clarification

Quote Meant For All

Cut Bank High School student Nacole Light argued during a debate at the
state student council convention in Great Falls this week that all students
and staff should be subject to random drug testing. She did not mean to
leave the impression in quotes in a Wednesday story that she was singling
out particular staff members.

"You go to school and expect to be in a safe environment, but it's no
longer safe when students go to school high," she said. "There should be
random drug testing for all students and staff, including the math teacher
down the hall who gives you too much homework."

Light said she is enjoying her third year at the state conference: "It
provides the best leadership training I've received and is a lot of fun."

Nearly 100 advisers accompanied the 900 students from 80 schools, the
northcentral Montana convention organizers said.

"The people of Great Falls heard our cry to provide housing and really came
through," said Great Falls High counselor Kathy Van Tighem. "We even ended
up with some extra housing offers."

Besides taking part in "hot topic" debates, the students will participate
in a community service project and hear four national motivational speakers
during the convention that ends today.

As a way of thanking Great Falls, the students brought items to contribute
to six local social service agencies: the Salvation Army, St. Thomas Child
& Family Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Great Falls, Children's
Receiving Home, St. Vincent de Paul Society and YWCA Mercy Home.

Each agency received large bins filled with such items as toiletries,
curling irons, laundry supplies, board games, books and dolls.