PROGRAM TEACHES STUDENTS TO ESCHEW DRUGS AND VIOLENCE

Living in Manville

The annual Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education (DARE) graduations for
students in Manville took place last week in two of the schools. More than
100 fifth-graders in Roosevelt School and 13 students from Christ the King
all completed their program in DARE. Sponsored by the Manville Police
Department and Somerset County, the program has been in Manville since 1990
and Officer Jim Paterno was the instructor for the program. Officer Jim, as
he is known to the children, helped the students learn not to use drugs.

As a 17-week course, DARE is a substance abuse prevention program which
teaches students skills that help them resist peer pressure which may lead
them to experiment with drugs, alcohol and tobacco.

Joining Officer Jim for the graduations were teachers, students from the
school and their parents as well as other guests. Principal Fred Volpi
welcomed everyone to the graduation with Officer Jim introducing the guests.

The visitor's list included Police Chief John Petrovic, Somerset County
Prosecutor Wayne Forrest, Lt. Jack Bennet from the Somerset County
Prosecutor's Office, Dr. Francis X. Heelan, Superintendent of Manville
schools, Dr. David Livingston, county superintendent, Dr. Jim Brunn,
principal of Alexander Batchco Intermediate School, Terrence Fitzpatrick,
Manville High School principal, and Manville Borough Safety Commissioner
Susan Asher. All came to lend their support for the program and
congratulate the students.

Mr. Livingston spoke briefly saying, "What is in your heart, you learned
from Officer Jim and your parents and you will not forget what you have
learned. You have the opportunity to learn what drugs can do and can say no."

Mr. Forrest also praised the students and wanted to give them "one quick
lesson and message."

"You have to remember: 'Not even once' -- the most important thing you
learn in school is in the DARE program," he said, referring to not trying
and using drugs or alcohol. "Officer Jim taught you about choices, right
choices, wrong choices and how to make a choice. We need you to be
successful and have your dreams come true."

There were a few contests in the program and the winners from each class
were announced. One of the contests was an essay contest on "Taking a
Stand" against drugs and violence. The winners read their essays during the
program and each received a $50 savings bond from the Manville PBA.

Stephanie Tarnovetchi's essay read, "The DARE program is a great program.
It helps children deal with peer pressure, being asked to smoke, and making
better decisions for themselves. This program does not just help fifth
graders who are involved in it, but it helps everyone else, too. Fifth
graders these days need to get ready for the challenges of 6th grade and
middle school. In DARE, I've learned how bullies usually have low
self-esteem and take it out on other people to feel better.

"Another thing I have learned in DARE is that the media promotes the use of
tobacco and alcoholic beverages to young adults. Also, drugs are dangerous
no matter how innocent they seem and how good the feel in your body.

"I feel that is important to stay drug and violence free. I feel this way
because drugs and violence can ruin people's lives. These things can ruin a
family relationship and can even kill you! The world would be a better
without these things. Without violence, there would be no wars. Without
drugs, there would be more people living in this world today. This is why I
believe it is important to stay drug and violence free."

Other winners included Nathaly Gonzalez, Jackie Duran and Amanda Furka. The
essay winner from Christ the King School was John Paul Loebs.

Another contest was a sticker contest, in which Officer Jim would ask
several questions about the DARE lessons each week during the program,
awarding a sticker for each correct answer. The student with the most
stickers at the end of the program won. Angela Vinchur, Megan Janes, Amanda
Guididas, Kevin Sellar from Roosevelt School and K.J. Seidar from Christ
the King, answered the most questions and were presented with a DARE jacket
of behalf of the Manville Police Department.

The last contest was a poster contest and the team of winners all received
DARE sweatshirts. All the students submitted an anti-drug or anti-violence
poster from each class. Winning teams included Evanna Tchir and Ryan McKee;
Vincent Montone and Shannon Bowling; Heather Armstrong and Lauren Darabant;
and Holly Macinkiewicz and Amanda Forrestal. Poster winner from Christ the
King was Brendan Amos.

After the contest winners were recognized, all of the fifth grade students
put on skits role playing their lessons. Certificates were then presented
to each student for successfully completing the program. Officer Jim was
joined the classroom teachers and guests to congratulate the students on
stage. A slide show was also presented at the conclusion of the program
with the students in different environments throughout the course.

In addition to the police department and the Prosecutors Office, the
following people and organizations were a part of supporting the DARE
program. Among those cited were Lt. Peltack, Detective Sgt. Mark Sniscak,
Gayle Whitenight, Kris Bujalski, Mayor Angelo Corradino, Manville Borough
Council, Manville PBA #236, VFW Post 2290 and Ladies Auxiliary, Manville
Maintenance, and the fifth-grade teachers, students and parents.