Last week, Walker Middle School students graduated from the Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety (CHAMPS) program and were recognized for their achievements during a ceremony.
Long County Sheriff Cecil Nobles, MACE investigator Kevin Grogan and CHAMPS instructor Bryan County Deputy David Hicks spoke at the ceremony.
According to Hicks, one of the program’s main goals is to teach children that all choices have consequences, and the choices students make today will affect their futures.
Nobles, a former Long County teacher, told the students that three out of four teens drink alcohol on a regular basis, and 60 percent of teens who smoke marijuana will move onto harder drugs.
“You kids remember, stay away from drugs because they are no good. A drug habit will take all of your money,” Nobles said.
Grogan followed the sheriff. He talked about setting goals, such as attending college and participating in sports, and how using drugs can interfere with goals.
“No one ever plans on becoming a drug addict,” Grogan said. “Drugs change who you are and make you do things you wouldn’t do. Remember, make good choices.”
All WMS fifth-graders participated in the CHAMPS program, and every student received a certificate of recognition from Hicks. In addition, six individual awards were given to top students who created posters or wrote essays on the hazards of drug use.
The first-place poster winner was James Goober. Second through fifth-place winners were Alex Carter, Shay Lucas, Maleka Elix and Cody Jackson.
The first-place essay contest winner was Lucas.
Carmen Lawson was named 2009-10 CHAMPS Student of the Year.
“All of the kids did a wonderful job and all should be commended for their efforts,” Nobles said.
LCSD Chief Deputy Robert Berry, LCSD Investigator Robbie Hughes and Bryan County Deputy Aretha Lopez also attended the ceremony.
The CHAMPS program, which is sponsored by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association, began in 2004.
Long County Sheriff Cecil Nobles, MACE investigator Kevin Grogan and CHAMPS instructor Bryan County Deputy David Hicks spoke at the ceremony.
According to Hicks, one of the program’s main goals is to teach children that all choices have consequences, and the choices students make today will affect their futures.
Nobles, a former Long County teacher, told the students that three out of four teens drink alcohol on a regular basis, and 60 percent of teens who smoke marijuana will move onto harder drugs.
“You kids remember, stay away from drugs because they are no good. A drug habit will take all of your money,” Nobles said.
Grogan followed the sheriff. He talked about setting goals, such as attending college and participating in sports, and how using drugs can interfere with goals.
“No one ever plans on becoming a drug addict,” Grogan said. “Drugs change who you are and make you do things you wouldn’t do. Remember, make good choices.”
All WMS fifth-graders participated in the CHAMPS program, and every student received a certificate of recognition from Hicks. In addition, six individual awards were given to top students who created posters or wrote essays on the hazards of drug use.
The first-place poster winner was James Goober. Second through fifth-place winners were Alex Carter, Shay Lucas, Maleka Elix and Cody Jackson.
The first-place essay contest winner was Lucas.
Carmen Lawson was named 2009-10 CHAMPS Student of the Year.
“All of the kids did a wonderful job and all should be commended for their efforts,” Nobles said.
LCSD Chief Deputy Robert Berry, LCSD Investigator Robbie Hughes and Bryan County Deputy Aretha Lopez also attended the ceremony.
The CHAMPS program, which is sponsored by the Georgia Sheriff’s Association, began in 2004.