DEHN TRIES TO KEEP KIDS ON A PATH TO SUCCESS

Gandrud Employee Promotes Drug- And Alcohol-Free School Graduation Parties

Seeing cocaine destroy a friend's life spurred Verchelle Dehn to help young
people live their lives clean and sober.

"He lost his wife, his child, his house, all of his possessions," Dehn
said, referring to ordeals of a co-worker years ago in Washington state.

Through the Green Bay Area Drug Alliance, Dehn promotes drug- and
alcohol-free graduation parties at seven area schools.

But she goes a step further and actually attends the parties, talks to
students and, on behalf of her current employer, Gandrud Chevrolet Nissan,
presents a $500 scholarship at each of the schools' parties.

"If I can say something to just one kid that will help them stay on the
right road, then it's worth it - I am helping the world in a small way,"
Dehn said.

The Gandrud scholarship is unusual in that it's a nonacademic scholarship
whose recipients are determined by random drawing.

"All they have to do to be eligible is to show up at the party," and they
must agree to be "locked in" all night without drugs or alcohol, Dehn said.

At these lock-ins, students dance to music, sing karaoke, play cards,
basketball and Frisbee, play on inflatable obstacle courses, ride
mechanical bulls and win door prizes. They go "human bowling" and virtual
fishing and "eat great food," Dehn said.

Dennis Drosner, social worker in the Green Bay School District and
graduation night coordinator for the Drug Alliance, said the idea behind
these lock-in parties is to give students drug-free alternatives.

"The idea is that if we can get all the kids to come back to school the
night of graduation, in a party atmosphere, we can eliminate these outside
parties with keggers and young people drinking and driving," Drosner said.

"Graduation is a big thing in a person's life," Dehn said. "Kids want to
celebrate. The tests are over and their schooling is completed. They want
to celebrate. Too often their young lives end just when they're beginning,
due to drinking and driving."

The $500 scholarship may be used toward tuition at any school, including
technical school and cosmetology school. If a recipient isn't going on to
school, the $500 may be used toward a car at Gandrud.

Dehn has also been instrumental in local Drug Abuse Resistance Education
efforts. She says she's attended about 100 DARE graduations.

When Cathy Hussong, co-chair of Bay Port High School's post-graduation
party, heard about Dehn, she was impressed.

"I thought anybody who takes the time to attend the parties and meet the
students must be pretty special," Hussong said. "I just had to meet her."

Carrie Beno, middle school counselor and coordinator of graduation night
parties for the Drug Alliance, praised Dehn's efforts.

"When I think about a true community relationship and partnership between
schools and businesses and the Drug Alliance, I think of Gandrud," Beno said.

"They don't just donate an item, they donate spirit. Verchelle is a real
trooper."

Good Neighbor

Name: Verchelle Dehn

Age: 49

Occupation: management team member at Gandrud Chevrolet-Nissan/Coordinator
of the Gandrud Scholarship with the Green Bay Area Drug Alliance

Lives: De Pere

Words to live by: "If I can say something to just one kid that will help
them stay on the right road, then it's worth it - I am helping the world in
a small way."