RON COLE TO BRING ALCOHOL-FREE ACT TO MEADOW HEIGHT,S CAPE CENTRAL

PATTON -- Entertainer Ron Cole will bring his message on living drug and alcohol-free to students at Meadow Heights High School Friday.

Cole, an entertainer who promotes a drug-free message through musical impersonations, will perform at 1 p.m. at the high school gym for students in grades 5 through 12. He will also entertain at a dance later in the evening.

His program includes impersonations of entertainers like Willie Nelson, Randy Travis, Garth Brooks, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel and Elvis.

Twelve Meadow Heights high school students heard Cole's message at the Team Spirit conference this summer and later learned he would appear at their school.

"The students are excited, especially ones that have heard him because they know what's coming," said Michelle Ratliff, Team Spirit coordinator at Meadow Heights.

The Meadow Heights Team Spirit group donated $100 to help pay for Cole's visit. The students won the money in a public service announcement contest at the conference.

The announcement hasn't been played on the radio yet because the students want to polish it before submitting it, Ratliff said.

Community 2000, a group that focuses on drug and alcohol prevention, is also helping to sponsor Cole's visit.

His performance is the first real project for the group, said Jana Jateff with Community 2000, headquartered on the Southeast Missouri State University campus.

Community 2000 serves residents in Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Madison, Perry, Scott and Ste. Genevieve counties. It was organized in February.

Cole will also perform two shows Thursday at Cape Central High School.