FOURTH-GRADERS SPEAK OUT ON DRUGS

East Texas fourth-graders descended on the LeTourneau University
campus with a message.

"I am drug-free because I am important" is how one student put it.

Longview Partners in Prevention held a Red Ribbon Week luncheon
Tuesday to recognize 14 essay contest participants who had written
prize-winning essays. The students' teachers also were recognized
during the event.

One of the 14 grand-prize winners wrote that if he ever did drugs, his
parents would pull his ear off.

"You could tell that was definitely not something a teacher told him
to write," said Ginna Stevens, a LeTourneau University senior
education major, who helped judge the essay entries. "That was all his
own."

Although some of the entries were funny, others were serious. One
student told those gathered that his papa had had an experience with
drugs and had to be taken to the hospital.

Drugs are bad because they destroy family and life, another student
wrote.

Not only do they hurt you, but they hurt people who care about you,
was the message of yet another fourth-grader.

Kathy Stephens, in teacher education at LeTourneau University, said
the judges looked for students who express themselves clearly and
write from the heart.

Students from Gladewater, White Oak, Hallsville, Pine Tree, Spring
Hill, Longview and private schools submitted between 125 to 150
essays, contest coordinators said. Contest entries also were submitted
in Spanish.

"Every year it just amazes me what kids can do with 50 words or less,"
said Brenda Buck, Partners in Prevention special events coordinator.
"Kids' hearts are so pure. These kids are incredible."

The students received a bag of prizes from program coordinators and
had their photographs taken with teachers and family members.