DARE RALLY SENDS A MESSAGE

An army of 1,300 children invaded the bleachers of Goldie Harris Gym
to participate in Seguin's biggest party and to receive a positive
message: "Stay Drug-Free."

The children, representing eight area school districts from around
the area, chanted, stomped and cheered as McGruff the Crime Dog made
the rounds during this year's South Texas Youth Ambassadors' Rally.

Seguin ISD Superintendent Irene Garza could not help but be
impressed by the sheer number of students.

"I think that it is exciting to have all of these kids come together
and all of the instruction provided though the DARE program," Garza said.

DARE officer Hope Vasquez, who has become the face of the Drug
Awareness and Resistance Education program at the Seguin Police
Department, got things started, introducing Seguin Mayor Betty Ann
Matthies and KXTN's Johnny Ramirez, who served as master of ceremonies.

"A lot of people went to a lot of trouble because they believe in
you kids -- because you are the future of the United States of
America," Ramirez said.

Ramirez shared bits of his own past with the DARE graduates, which
included the lesson he learned by dropping out of school and the
friends he lost over the years to drug abuse.

"If you toke, you're a joke, and if you booze, you loose," Ramirez said

The Seguin High School steel drum band and the SHS Junior ROTC
entertained the crowd as did speeches from Miss San Antonio Valerie
Pro and Miss Teen San Antonio Amanda Newman.

But it was the music and energy of retired Austin Police Detective
Mark Gil, aka "Police Ice," who got the kids to their feet.

The event was special for Gil, who made his 10th consecutive
appearance at the Youth Ambassadors' Rally.

"It takes a person with character to know that there's a time and
place for everything, but there is not a time for drugs," Gil said.
"I am a living example of someone who can raise their hand and say,
'I'll try.'"

Clad in a pair of black fatigues and Ray Ban sunglasses, Gil rapped
and danced, bringing the children, their teachers and SISD school
board trustees to their feet.

His message to the students was simple: "Stay strong and stay drug-free."

The students were led back to their busses when the rally ended at noon.

In the lobby of Goldie Harris Gym, a few stopped to take pictures,
and among them were DARE officer Willie Ybarra, who worked with
Vasquez to organize this rally.

"This is a new experience for me, and I am having a great time,"
Ybarra said. "It's awesome. It seems like it's growing every year,
and we are just trying to make it better and bigger every year."