D.A.R.E. POSTER/VIDEO WINNERS GET RIDE IN LIMO

Four fifth grade students at Pinkston Middle School were treated to a limo
ride Monday for their efforts in D.A.R.E. class -- Drug Abuse Resistance
Education.

Allison Bonner, Kasey Hutson, Maddie White and Michael Nuzum won first and
second place honors for their posters and videos. Each project was aimed at
preventing their peers from abusing drugs and alcohol, according to
D.A.R.E. officer Sgt. Ralph Bird.

"These projects were fantastic," Bird said. "With the newer technology the
videos keep getting better and better, and the artwork on the posters was
great." The winners were treated to a limo ride courtesy of Sundowner
Limousines and lunch at Pizza Inn. Wal-Mart also contributed to the day's
events.

The winning video featured law enforcement, emergency services and staff at
Baxter Regional Medical Center. White asked them to participate in her
project. "I laid down at Cooper Park, and they came and packed me off to
the hospital," White said. "I flat-lined at the hospital."

White's theme was "Drugs Kill."

Bonner and Hutson won in the poster division. Bonner's poster theme was
"Dummies Do Drugs -- Don't Let it Happen to You" and featured a dummy.
Hutson's theme was "Don't Get High, You'll Come Crashing Down."

According to Nuzum, his video featured several special effects.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the kids to express themselves," Bird said.