PEOPLE

These fourth-grade students in Cape Girardeau schools are members of the Smoke-Free Class of 2000 who have pledged not to smoke through their graduation from high school in the year 2000. In connection with the group's annual graduation ceremony May 5, the students have written short essays on "why champions are smoke-free."

Ramsey Stevens: "Champions are smoke-free because they know smoking is bad for their health. Smoking can give you lung cancer. It's a hard habit to break, so if you ever think you need to start, DON'T."

Lane Thomasson: "I think everyone is a champion if they don't smoke or do drugs. You may be puny or weak, but everyone could be a champion if they just don't litter their body with drugs."

Summer Henderson: "Champions have made the right choice to be smoke-free because smoking is bad for your lungs. When I grow up, I am not going to smoke. I am going to be a champion."

Nikiva Miller: "Champions are smart. They know that drugs are bad for them. They know that if you smoke, it will hurt your lungs, heart, liver and nervous system. Also, it can hurt your brain very, very much."

Tony Renschen: "Winners are special. They don't need to smoke. Most people think it is cool to smoke, but champions don't need to look cool. They don't need to ruin themselves, either."

Joey Crabtree: "Champions are smoke-free because they care about their lungs so they can breathe easier to do their activities. They are a good example for kids in case kids would like to be in the Olympics."