THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 17, 1994 TAG: 9411160155
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
JAMAR GOODMAN, a senior at Nansemond River High School, said ``no'' to drugs a long time ago. And now he is working to help his peers do the same.
During his sophomore year, Jamar, 18, was asked by Nansemond River's track coach, Arnice Monroe, to participate in the Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Project.
He attended the project's leadership conference at Roanoke College two years ago with three other Nansemond River students. Last July, he was invited back as a youth leader and spent a week at Longwood College at the annual conference.
``I'm the only one from Suffolk to attend the annual conference twice,'' Jamar said.
In recognition of his participation, Jamar received the Governor's Award for Substance Abuse Prevention during Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 24 through 29, at a luncheon in the Executive Mansion in Richmond. The award was presented by Virginia's first lady, Susan Allen.
During his stay at Longwood, Jamar attended seminars on how to organize a group and plan school-sponsored, drug-free events. A member of Students Taking a Right Stand, Jamar said the club often sponsors drug-free dances and other social events.
``On weekends, a lot of young people don't have anything to do,'' he said. ``We go to games out of town and to the skating rink.''
Jamar also attended a three-day training workshop, sponsored by Police Peers and Public Educators Utilizing the Leadership Skills of Students at Risk, at the Airfield Conference Center in Wakefield. This training has qualified Jamar to mediate conflicts among fellow students.
``Two students may have an argument in class - and before the problem escalates, we ask them to come into a room and talk about it,'' Jamar said. ``Sometimes they don't want to fight, but others are pushing them. I try to add some humor to get them to relax, but they have to be willing to work out the problem. Sometimes, they don't want to work it out, so I give them advice to just try and stay apart.''
A Suffolk native, Jamar is the youngest of James and Claudia Goodman's five grown children.
In addition to his studies, Jamar works part time after school in food service at Obici Hospital, delivering trays to patients or washing dishes. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to music, lifting weights and helping with the King's Kids of America, an outreach ministry for youth.
Jamar also plays both center and defensive tackle on the Warriors football team, runs track and participates in shot put and discus. Last spring, he placed second in shot put at a regional track meet at Christopher Newport University.
``On days I have to work, I run on my own. I go to football practice on days I don't have to work.''
Jamar is a member of the chorus at Nansemond River and often accompanies the group on his bass guitar. Sundays, he rotates playing guitar during the morning worship service at Star Baptist Church in Portsmouth and at Faith Temple Apostolic Church on Wellons Street, where is a member.
``I'm self-taught. Just me and the radio and the grace of God.''
Jamar is convinced that a drug-free lifestyle is the correct and only choice for him.
``I live a Christian life, and I owe that to my parents. I was raised in church and never had a problem with doing a lot of crazy things.
``Some say, `Come on, Jamar, I know you can take drugs.' But they know I wouldn't. You have to be a strong individual and have your own self-esteem. If you don't have that, it's hard to overcome temptations.''
After graduation, Jamar plans to attend Virginia Commonwealth University to study health and medicine. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Jamar Goodman received the Governor's Award for Substance Abuse
Prevention during Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 24 through 29, at a luncheon
in the Executive Mansion in Richmond.
by CNB