Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, October 18, 1994                   TAG: 9410180080
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Laura Zivkovich
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

BUILDING CONFIDENCE IS ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM'S FOCUS

CINDY HATCHELL, a fifth-grader at Belle Heth Elementary, is displaying her work in grand style throughout Radford.

The New River Valley Breathing Easy Coalition recently put Cindy's artwork on four local billboards.

Cindy made the poster last spring as a fourth-grader when she participated in the Just Say No anti-drug program, a collaborative effort of her school, the New River Valley Breathing Easy Coalition and the New River Valley Community Services Board.

The program, offered to all Belle Heth fourth-grade classes, aims to combat drug abuse by enhancing problem-solving and critical-thinking skills and boosting pupils' self esteem.

According to Diane Hartt, Just Say No program consultant and volunteer trainer, research shows that past methods of education that focus on drug-abuse dangers and risky behavior are not as effective for drug-abuse prevention as confidence-building techniques.

Look for Cindy's billboards near Schewel's Furniture in Fairlawn, New River Valley Rental in Radford's West End and in two locations along U.S. 11 between Radford and Christiansburg.

Montgomery County Public Schools have announced the October seniors of the month from the four district high schools.

Auburn High School: LORI LYONS, three times named an academic athlete, is a four-year basketball and volleyball player and a member of the National Honor Society.

Lori is the daughter of Jody and Polly Lyons of Christiansburg.

Blacksburg High School: JEFFERY HENDRICKS is a four-year participant in the Church Seminary Program, serving as president for two. He is an Indian track team runner and marching band member.

Jeffery is the son of Scott and Joyce Hendricks of Blacksburg.

Christiansburg High School: SHERRI BLEVINS, who was president of her sophomore and junior classes, is serving as class president again this year as a senior. She is a four-year member of the cheerleading squad and the volleyball team.

Sherri is the daughter of Sharon and Edward Blevins of Christiansburg.

Shawsville High School: ANDREW SMITH plays basketball, baseball and golf for Shawsville High. He is a two-year class president.

Andrew is the son of Roger and Nancy Smith of Elliston.

The SHAWSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL BAND won first place in the Class A division of the third annual Blue Demon Classic at Christiansburg High School. Seventeen high school bands competed at the event. The second- and third-place Class A winners were James River and Auburn high schools.

The Mental Health Association of the New River Valley seeks volunteers to present "I'm Thumbody," a SELF ESTEEM PROGRAM for third-graders. The program includes a video, a game and presentation of materials for parents and teachers to help children with self-esteem development.

Volunteers must attend a one-time, two-hour training session Oct. 26, 3-5 p.m., in the education building of Blacksburg United Methodist Church. Volunteers are asked to present the one-hour program to at least one third-grade class in the New River Valley.

For more information or to register for the training session, call the Mental Health Association, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at 382-5629, or Diane Karfakis, program coordinator, at 951-7812.

The Tau Mu Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority will hold a free workshop for high school students, parents and school officials on academic and financial COLLEGE PREPARATION on Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at Radford University's Heth Student Center.

Minority students are encouraged to attend.

Advanced registration is required. For more information, call Mary Calloway at 382-7638.

CHRIS LIBEY of Blacksburg High School will serve on the Washington Workshop's 1995 National Student Advisory Committee.

The Washington Workshop, a nonprofit, private foundation, sponsors workshops for high school students that introduce them to government officials, elected representatives and national press corps members. Chris, selected to attend the National Student Leadership Seminar earlier this year, will travel to New York City for a committee meeting this fall.

The committee plans future seminars and encourages citizenship education.

Masonic Lodge members in association with local law-enforcement agencies will make IDENTIFICATION PACKETS for Riner Elementary School pupils on Thursday at the school.

The packets, to be given to parents, will include fingerprints and photographs.

Events and Meetings

The Riverlawn Parent-Teacher Organization will hold its annual FUNFEST Saturday, 4-8 p.m., at the school. Among the festival's activities are games, booths, clowns, face painting and bingo. Proceeds will support the purchase of playground equipment for the school.

The Beeks Elementary Parent-Teacher Association will sponsor an all-day SHOPPING TRIP Nov. 5 to Potomac Mills Outlet Mall. The buses will leave the school at 6:30 a.m. and return around midnight.

The $40 fee includes a bagel breakfast and dessert on the trip home.

To reserve a seat, call Lauren Conner at 552-4766 or Linda Keciorius at 953-3166. The reservation deadline is Wednesday.

The CHRISTIANSBURG ELEMENTARY Parent-Teacher Association will meet Monday at 7 p.m. in the school's multipurpose room. Larry Arrington, Montgomery County Public Schools' technology supervisor, will speak on the current and planned use of technology in the school's curriculum.

Auburn High and Middle School will hold an OPEN HOUSE for parents Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Parents may call the school's guidance department at 382-5164 to make appointments.

Kipps Elementary School will hold a DEDICATION CEREMONY Sunday at 2 p.m. The event includes a flag raising, student activities and the expected appearance of Mae Kipps.

For more information, call the school at 951-5760.

The Montgomery County Chapter I District PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. at Christiansburg Elementary School to discuss the program.

Child care will be provided. Storyteller Patricia Weaver will entertain children during the meeting. An ice cream social will follow the meeting.

Teachers will present an informational CURRICULUM PROGRAM at the Kipps Elementary Parent-Teacher Association general meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. Discussion topics include whole language, math, inclusion and developmentally-appropriate practice.

Parents may also view the third-graders' Appalachian Awareness Exhibit.