DERIDDER STUDENT CHOSEN AS D.A.R.E. REP

Jessica Hayes, a junior at DeRidder High School, has recently begun a
two-year term as the Louisiana Representative to the National D.A.R.E.
Youth Advisory Board. She is one of 50 youth, one from each state in
the country, to be a part of the board.

"Being chosen as the state representative to the Youth Advisory Board
is an honor," said Hayes. "I believe it is important for Louisiana
youth to be drug free. D.A.R.E. is all about giving kids the
information they need to make good choices."

Hayes was chosen from among other nominees by the Louisiana D.A.R.E.
Officers Association to represent Louisiana on the national board. She
is the second student from Louisiana to serve on the board and the
first from Beauregard Parish.

D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a highly acclaimed
program that gives children the skills they need to avoid involvement
in drugs, gangs, and violence. A D.A.R.E. officer leads a series of
interactive classroom lessons about how to resist peer pressure and
live productive drug and violence-free lives.

D.A.R.E. reaches 26 million school children in the United States with
the highest dissemination of any school-based drug program, according
to D.A.R.E. information.

In Beauregard Parish, all fifth grade classes, approximately 500
students each year, participate in the D.A.R.E. program. Officer Jim
Cheever teaches the 13 week course to help students say 'no' to drugs.
Beauregard Parish was one of the first in the state to implement the
D.A.R.E. program 15 years ago.

"I am excited about having the opportunity to speak with kids in these
classes and let them know that they don't have to do drugs to be
cool," said Hayes. "I believe that I can relate to younger students,
and that I have a special voice with them because I am closer to their
age.

"I want to let them know that there are many teenagers who choose to
be drug free and who care that they make good choices for their lives
too."

The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) was begun in 2000 to allow students
input into the D.A.R.E. program and to promote drug and violence free
lifestyles as role models for other students.

The YAB advises local D.A.R.E. programs, government, and community
leaders on drug and violence prevention strategies beneficial to youth.

It is also involved in leading Peer PLUS (Play and Learn Under
Supervision) programs like the D.A.R.E. Dance an after school program
which provides children with positive activities as an alternative to
drugs and violence.

Members are role models, speaking at D.A.R.E functions in their
states.

"Involvement is one key to being drug free," said Hayes. "The more
time kids spend being involved with friends, family, church, community
and school, the less likely they are to be tempted to take drugs."

Hayes is active as a cheerleader, student council representative, the
Juniorettes vice president, a member of the DHS golf team, and SADD
(Students Against Destructive Decisions).

She is also active in pageants, most recently as Ms. Teen Spirit of
Louisiana. Hayes promotes D.A.R.E. as her pageant platform.

As one of her first official activities as the Louisiana YAB
representative, Hayes has been active during Red Ribbon Week in
Beauregard Parish schools.

She has spoken to students at the Beauregard Alternative School, Pine
Wood Elementary, DeRidder Junior High School, K.R. Hanchey Elementary
and Carver Elementary about drug abuse, encouraging them to stay drug
free. Red Ribbon Week is the culmination of Substance Abuse Awareness
Month and is a time to promote drug-free lifestyles.