THIRD-GRADERS TELL ANTI-DRUG THEM IN MARKER

JACKSON -- Third-graders from nine classes at Orchard Drive Elementary School used markers, scissors and glue to encourage other children to stay away from drugs.

Under the direction of four students from Southeast Missouri State University, 18 children finished a mural Thursday with the theme, "Life is a circus without drugs."

"We just told them what was needed or what we wanted, and they took it from there," said John Cope, a Southeast student who coordinated the project with the third-graders. "I really underestimated their abilities at first."

Sherron Alexander, a third-grade teacher at Orchard, said Cope contacted her about the program and the students were more than willing to create the mural.

"They seem to like doing this and they're entertained by it," Alexander said of the third graders. "And we know the earlier we start sending this message out, the better."

Tyler Dumey, 9, said not only did he like being apart of the project because of his interest in art, but because the message keeps other kids away from drugs.

"It's to inspire kids to make the right choices," he said. "This project helps other kids stay off drugs."

Mandy Foltz agreed, saying she enjoys drawing and it teaches the children to stay away from drugs.

The 18 third-graders met for 1 1/2 hours after school for four days with Cope and three other university students over a two-week span.

The university students were meeting class requirements in coordinating the program.

Cope, Lori Hunter, Sylvia Jones and Ed Landewee are students in Dr. Ed Leoni's class, Contemporary Drug Use. The upper-level course requires students to conduct a community outreach program aimed at drug education and awareness.

"I was thumbing through a catalog and found this mural idea," Cope said.

Photographs of murals from across the country will be sent to Washington to the Learning Systems Group and the U.S. Department of Education for competition.

According to the group, Orchard Drive Elementary is one of more than 3,800 schools and community groups participating in the project.

The results of the judging will be announced in mid-May.

The mural will be unveiled during drug prevention week at Orchard Drive Elementary, May 8 through 12.