BANDITS EDUCATE ON DRUGS

The sound of drums, trumpets and trombones boomed over the ice Tuesday as
1,950 area students screamed and Bandits players took to the ice at the
Four States Fairgrounds.

Students were invited to the hockey game by the Bandits to increase the
students' drug awareness in the schools.

Bandits Head Coach and General Manager Jon Cooper said the hockey players
serve as role models for the students.

"You know our players and athletes that have achieved their success and are
at a level they are at today is because they did not go down that road. It
all starts with the kids," Cooper said.

Cooper, along with Drug Abuse Resistance Education Officer Mike Landers,
addressed children at the event, encouraging them to stay away from drugs.

To participate, students made posters and essays about the importance of
staying drug-free and submitted them for contests.

The Bandits had a similar rally last year and this year the turnout was
excellent.

"We are extremely encouraged by the turnout of the students and the
teachers and the message they are trying to send to their students," Cooper
said.

He said that during the school year the players actively participate in
reading programs with the students to encourage literacy.

"This is a give and take with our team and the community and the students,"
he said.

Queen City School District teacher Tracy Bunch said her fifth-graders were
excited about the hockey game.

"They love to see hockey games. We have taken them before a couple of years
ago and it was something they enjoyed," she said.

She added her students made posters before they came emphasizing drug
awareness.

Sixth-graders from Nashville School District came as a reward for high
scores they made on their tests and to promote drug awareness to their
students.

Teacher Charlotte Binkley said the hockey game is something they thought
would be fun for all the students.

Nashville sixth-grade students Presley Rennington, Chelsea Goodwin and C.J.
Buice said they had never been to a hockey game and were excited.

"It's awesome," Chelsea said.