BAMBERG TEACHER NAMED D.A.R.E. EDUCATOR OF YEAR FOR S.C./GA.

Is kindergarten too early to start teaching kids about drugs and negative
peer pressure?

Veteran teacher Faye Bellamy of Richard Carroll Elementary School, Campus A
in Bamberg says definitely not.

As a K5- and first-grade teacher for 28 years, Bellamy knows what goes on
the minds and lives of her young, impressionable charges.

"In this fast-paced society of today, even very young children are being
exposed to things through family members and peers," Bellamy said. "We can
help them sort these things out."

Bellamy is the recipient of the 2004-2005 D.A.R.E. Association Educator of
the Year award.

Nominated by Bamberg County D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
Officer Sgt. Adrienne C. Blume, Bellamy was cited for her "devotion to the
D.A.R.E. program and willingness to be a team player and an example to all."

The award was presented at the annual Georgia/South Carolina D.A.R.E.
conference on July 21 in Valdosta, Ga.

Winning the award came as a shock to Bellamy, whose quiet voice and calm
mannerism have won the hearts of hundreds of students and parents over the
years.

RCES Principal Skipper Smith described Bellamy as "sincerely devoted to her
students#8"

Faye's work is second to none," Smith said. "She never raises her voice,
she handles her own problems in the classroom and she draws students into
what she's teaching."

Bellamy's ability to keep her students#, attention and her innovation in
developing lesson plans came in very handy as she incorporated the D.A.R.E.
program into her curriculum. During her 14 years as a K5 teacher, Bellamy
has worked with Blume to teach D.A.R.E. principals such as staying healthy,
the difference between medicine and drugs, resisting negative peer
pressure, working out differences and appreciating community helpers.

To help reach out to her young students, Bellamy came up with song and poem
lyrics that would be fun and educational at the same time. The familiar
tune "B-I-N-G-O!" became "Just Say No To D-R-U-G-S !", and "Frere Jacques"
took on a new twist promoting healthy foods and exercise.

Helping answer kids' questions about drugs and violence helps redirect
their thinking and leads them to make better choices, Bellamy said.
Students who have seen drug abuse firsthand need reassurance that adults
can make mistakes in how they choose to de-stress and wind down, and
Bellamy helps her students come up with alternatives for relaxing and
solving problems.

"Being from a small, poor rural community, where it is so inviting for
children and young adults to sell and use drugs, I have grown to respect
and appreciate the goals and objectives of the D.A.R.E. program," she said.

Having Officer Blume in the classrooms and in the hallways of RCES gives
the children a good feeling about the law enforcement community," Bellamy said.

"I also have really wonderful peers to work with," she added, noting that
she and her fellow teachers share ideas and brainstorm continuously.

Blume, who has served as Bamberg County's D.A.R.E. officer for 15 years,
received the 2004-2005 South Carolina D.A.R.E. Association President's
Award during the annual meeting for her heartfelt commitment to the program
and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty. Blume was the
1997-1998 D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year, and in 2004 the Bamberg County
Sheriff's Office received the D.A.R.E. Agency of the Year award.

During an upcoming South Carolina D.A.R.E. Association meeting in Columbia,
Bellamy will present her suggestions and lesson plan examples for adapting
the program to the K5 level in a way that will keep students' attention and
lay a foundation for a healthy lifestyle.

Blume has nominated Bellamy for the National D.A.R.E. Association Educator
of the Year award, which will be presented in July 2006 at the National
Conference.