STUDENTS PARTY AGAINST DRUGS, UNDERAGE DRINKING; SCHOOL RALLY FOCUSES ON EMPOWERMENT

Students said no to drugs and alcohol during an empowerment party thrown on the front lawn of Cape Girardeau Central High School Thursday morning.

More than 1,000 Central students and faculty and other community representatives attended the party and rally, which was hosted by Missouri's Youth-Adult Alliance Against Underage Drinking (MYAA) and the Missouri National Guard.

Students said they enjoyed the outdoor event, which featured motivational speakers and the landing and departure of a UH-1 helicopter on the Central practice field.

"I thought it was really neat the way they put everybody outside," said Central senior Abby Harris. "I think it made it more interesting."

Harris and other students scattered over the school's lawn, sitting and lying on beach towels and blankets they were encouraged to bring. Members of school organizations that helped organize the event, including Team Spirit, the Thespian Society and the Renaissance Club, manned stage equipment and greeted local and state dignitaries as they arrived.

Dr. Nancy Geha, MYAA project director, said the party was an effort to get Central students enthusiastic about joining MYAA-sponsored youth councils next fall when an office is set up for Southeast Missouri. Youth councils will decide how best to use a grant worth just under $1 million to curb underage drinking in Missouri before the end of the year 2000, Geha said.

"You are the first group of youth in the country to be able to run a funded initiative like this," Geha told students. "Only 12 states in the nation received the funding, and we are excited because you are going to be the ones who decide how the money's spent."

Geha is a member of a team of speakers who are traveling around Missouri this week to make students aware of MYAA and its efforts. Each speaker focused on the power of youth to make a difference in the lives of others.

Other speakers included 1997 Miss Missouri Kim Massaro; Brig. Gen. James Baker of the Missouri Air National Guard; Rich Linden, a motivational trainer and the master of ceremonies; and Kriss Farris of the Missouri Division of Highway Safety.

Although she is a St. Louis native, Massaro made one of her first attempts at the state title as Miss Jackson in 1995. She told students staying drug- and alcohol-free was an important goal that students should set for themselves.

"Sometimes you have to try over and over again before you succeed at something," she said. "I just want you to know you have the power to succeed at anything. If you continue to push forward and work, there are rewards for the goals you set."

Many students said they looked forward to working with MYAA. They said many of the teen-agers present took the message to heart, but there will always be some who "just don't get it."

"It might work," said sophomore Tomorra Matthews. "Some people will listen to it -- not all."

Senior Avery Winfield agreed. "Some people do their own thing," he said. "They don't like to listen or let people in on what they're doing."

Linden encouraged students to use their power to influence friends not to drink as they attend graduation parties this month. He told a story about losing his best friend in an alcohol-related accident because he didn't stop him from driving home from a graduation party.

"You are one of the few things in the world that hasn't changed," Linden told students. "Forever and ever and ever, teen-agers have liked to party. Just take care of your friends and power them up."