SMOKE-FREE GRADUATION DRAWS 900 KIDS

More than 900 screaming fifth graders cheered and booed at the antics-with-a-message portrayed in the play "Smoking Doesn't Pay," written, directed and starred in by a St. Louis County police officer.

The play, performed at the Southeast Missouri State Student Rec Center, was the final activity of the Smoke-Free Class of 2000 before classes adjourn for the year.

Fifth grade students from all Cape Girardeau public and parochial schools as well as Scott City, Charleston, Perryville, Leopold and Immaculate Conception in Jackson were delighted by the performances of Officer Tony Coleman and his cast of St. Louis-area students.

Coleman played "Captain Smoke-Free," who urged Molly, played by Natalie DeLucia, to do what was right and stand up against the evil Dr. Smokenstein.

Dr. Smokenstein was having a variety show of sorts on television to promote his cigarettes. Although the "performers" in his show believed that smoking was bad, they touted his products anyway because of the money he was paying for their services.

In the end (with the help of the screaming audience), Molly broke the evil spell Dr. Smokenstein, and condemned the use of tobacco products on national television.

The musical presentation ended with a song in which the whole audience participated, to the effect that smoking was a terrible habit.

Special guests Keshia Knight Pulliam, who played Rudy Huxtable on "The Cosby Show," Carol Keeler of KZIM radio and Anne Doyle of KFVS-TV, encouraged the students during "commercial breaks" to abstain from tobacco use and to stay true to their oath as the Smoke-Free Class of 2000.

Coleman, a DARE officer in St. Louis, wrote the play.

"I was approached and asked if I wanted to do some sort of program for the Smoke-Free Class of 2000," Coleman said. "I think they were expecting a 30-minute speech or something.

"Instead, I wrote an hour-and-fifteen minute long play with 10 songs about the dangers of smoking," Coleman said. "These are good kids - bright kids; they are sticking to a promise that deserves a lot of credit."