SLU ATHLETES DELIVER MESSAGE TO FIFTH-GRADERS

PONCHATOULA - The fifth-grade students at Martha Vinyard Elementary gave a
Just Say No welcome to Southeastern Louisiana University athletes Thursday
during a special presentation to encourage students to stay drug free.

SLU basketball players Dee Gadsen and Adrian Scott and soccer players Vicki
Fulkerson and Courtney Coutu talked about the importance of good grades, a
positive attitude and resisting drugs.

Doing drugs is a bad path to take, the athletes stressed. If students stay
positive and keep up their grades, they can also have a college education.

Scott Nunez, internal operations for Southeastern, talked about the college
schedule and practice hours for athletes at the school.

He said the NCAA athletes standing before them were drug free and asked the
students to follow that lead.

Ten-year-old Alicia Hoffecker and 11-year-old Shayna Hodges both said they
wanted to participate in sports and pledge to remain drug free.

Hoffecker said she wanted to be a dentist and play soccer on the side.

Hodges said she wants to play basketball.

Ten-year-old Aikeem Pines also planned on staying drug free so that he
could play football.

"Don't smoke cigarettes," Fulkerson said. "They're not cool."

Fulkerson talked about how easily she can run with clean, clear lungs and
said she felt sorry for friends who "can't keep up because they smoke."

"Because I came to college at SLU I now have 20 new friends - teammates,"
she said. "You can be a college athlete, too."

Becky Wells, fifth-grade teacher and Just Say No sponsor, reminded the
classes that a Just Say No march will be held in April.

Students will make banners against drugs and march to the high school
during the April event.

A guest speaker will talk with students about the dangers of drugs and
alcohol, Wells said.