PARADE TEAM HAS ANTI-DRUG MESSAGE

Sir Friendly C unit continues 11-year tradition on Broadway

Amanda Hendrickson couldn't suppress a squeal and giggle when she found
herself half a turn behind her friends at a recent practice of the Sir
Friendly C Parade Unit.

Seconds later the Fairdale High School freshman was back in step, her flub
barely noticed by onlookers.

Despite an occasional misstep, Amanda and other members of the group say
they're ready to strut their stuff before a Derby Festival crowd as part of
the group's 11-year tradition of Pegasus Parade participation.

The 80 members ages 14 to 19 will perform a three-dance routine along the
17block Broadway route this afternoon.

The annual effort is organized by rapping personality Sir Friendly C
(Louisville police Officer Ray A. Barker Sr.), who encourages teen-agers to
be drugand violence-free.

The first year he recruited for the parade group, only 40 teens showed up.
Since then, however, the group's reputation has drawn as many as 200, he said.

The performance has become an anticipated part of the parade, Barker said:

"People have come to recognize this group as representing no drugs or
violence. That instills a lot of pride in the kids and in the community."

LaToya Malone, 17, a Central High School senior and five-year unit veteran,
can vouch for the crowd's enthusiasm. "People are always calling your name
and telling you they've seen you on TV," she said.

But Luther Walker, a Central High sophomore and two-time parade
participant, says he tunes out the crowd to avoid nervousness. "You have to
block everyone out and just focus on the routine," he said.

In the past the members have adopted various costume themes such as aliens,
angels and Egyptians. This year, to send a patriotic message, the group
will wear cowboy attire, complete with hats, fringed shirts, gold-and-black
cord ties, and American flags.

"After 9-11, we wanted something to symbolize the U.S.A., and the cowboy
kinda symbolizes that adventurous spirit," Barker said.

He has also included a rap song in tribute to the Louisville Bats baseball
team. The group will perform an original dance called "The Bat," created by
Anita Neil, the group's choreographer and Park Hill Community Center director.

Neil said she has choreographed the group's moves for 10 years with a
simple goal: Keep things clean and fun.

"I want them to know that you can do hip-hop without it being vulgar," Neil
said of the popular -- and sometimes provocative -- dance moves she reworks
for the group each year.

Practice for the parade begins with weekly two-hour sessions in early
January. As May approaches, the teens attend practice twice a week. By
parade day, Barker said, he and the 15 adult volunteers are usually so worn
out that they vow never to do it again.

But the response from the public quickly changes their minds.

"We have so many people come up to us and say, 'Thank you,' and 'The kids
looked so good,' " Barker said. "It's that feedback that keeps us going."