CHAPPAQUA STUDENTS PLANT THE PROMISE

CHAPPAQUA -- Parents and students trying to create a visible sign of a
pledge to promote good choices regarding drugs and alcohol planted tulips
outside Horace Greeley High School.

"So many of us do the right things," said Janet Franco, co-chair of the
high school PTA and event organizer. "We may not be able to change the
behavior of a few, but we can look out for them."

Making the right voices the loud voices will be a theme this year at
Greeley, Franco said. She urged parents to get to know one another and to
reach out for information about parties and events. Students need to know
looking out for each other means seeking help if someone needs it, not
covering up or hiding things.

More than 100 students, some accompanied by parents, gathered in the
Wednesday morning cold to plant tulip bulbs and grape hyacinths. The talk
was of fertilizer and whether bulbs are planted pointy side up or down, but
the deeper meaning was felt.

"We'll have this for a really long time," senior Allie Weinreb said,
surveying the new plantings. "We've had speakers in the past, but this is
taking action."

Local parents have been seeking ways to remind teens of the consequences of
making bad decisions, as the number of stories about drinking marring
dances and leading to student illness, or even death, have proliferated.

"Kids hate it when you say, don't do this, or don't do that," said Carolyn
D'Agostino, student-assistance counselor at the school. "It's exciting when
they start working on something together."

Junior Corey Casbarro said the students planting bulbs that will grow into
one garden is a metaphor for the way the Greeley community is coming together.

"We've had different events in the school that went really well," he said.
Kelly Mullane, also a junior, agreed.

"The captains of the sports teams and presidents of clubs pledged not to
drink on homecoming weekend," Mullane said, recalling the student assembly
that preceded that event.

"A lot of people took it to heart, and there were no problems."

The bulbs planted yesterday are expected to bloom in April ,when they will
remind students who pass of their pledge to keep one another safe.