The Stafford Technical Center SADD Chapter was advised by Bill Lucci, a parent of a Christ the King student and Assistant Director-Adult Technical Education at Stafford Technical Center that the Christ the King DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program at Christ the King School was in need of funds to pay for the expenses for running the program. The Rutland City Police Department has agreed to provide the services of the DARE Instructor, Officer Keith Lorman, who has undergone specific training to provide the DARE core curriculum to fifth or sixth graders. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts and a generally poor economic environment, the funds pay for the program’s expenses were not there. Mr. Lucci told the SADD members about the plight of Mrs. Barbagallo’s fifth grade class, and they unanimously voted to donate the funds ($200) to run the programs.
SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) is a peer leadership program designed to make students role models of responsible behaviors and to act to reduce negative behaviors, such as drug usage. The students saw the opportunities to help the younger students in this case as a perfect example of the type of positive activities that they should be promoting. Normally, the SADD Chapter never has any additional funds, but the chapter just won $1200 as national finalists in a contest involving distracted driving that was run through ActOutLoud.org. The SADD members have chosen to deal with the issue of eating while driving in this contest and their project will be promoted on that site and there will be voting through that site from May 10-21, for the winners, who will get $10,000.
The Stafford Technical Center SADD Chapter is made up of Mill River Union High School students Kayla Jones, Nate Hance, James Reed, Cantlin Eaton, Cierra Phelps, Erika Stocker, and Haley Cotrupi, Rutland High School students Ashley Barnes, Chris Crout, Jamie Bonilla and Jordan Grenier, West Rutland High School student Kayla Stewart, Proctor High School student Kyle Lenher, and Otter Valley Union High School students Joanna Lilly and Geoffry McDonald.