THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 9, 1995 TAG: 9502070136
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONYA WOODS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
SHE's ONLY 11, and LeBrei Simmons already knows she wants to study law at the University of Notre Dame.
She's a straight A student at Poplar Halls Elementary School, and when her fellow classmates have trouble figuring out those tough math problems, LeBrei volunteers to help them.
Despite her eagerness to learn and to help others, LeBrei was surprised when she was named the school's Student of the Year through the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program for her academic achievements and for her participation in the program.
After receiving the award Jan. 6, teachers began calling LeBrei a role model.
``When I won the award I felt really good because it's kind of a big award, but I never thought I'd be a role model,'' she said. ``When they called my name for Student of the Year, all my friends came up to me and hugged me, and everybody stood up and clapped - that made me feel special.''
LeBrei was chosen as Student of the Year by her teacher, Myrtle Johnson, and the school's D.A.R.E. officer, Sidney Delepine.
``LeBrei was always helping out in class, and she always came in and did all her homework every day with no trouble,'' Delepine said.
Johnson said, without a doubt, LeBrei has all the right qualities to hold the title of Student of the Year.
``She's just in the fifth grade, but LeBrei is a very serious-minded person,'' Johnson said. ``She's very interested in learning.''
LeBrei said with the support of her mother, Yvonne Simmons, who's a staff sergeant in the Marines, she is always able to do her best.
``I'd like to thank my mom for helping me do well in school so I could win the plaque and for telling me how important a good education is,'' LeBrei said.
Simmons said nothing could outdo how proud she felt when her ``baby'' was honored.
``When Officer Delepine said, `And the award goes to LeBrei Simmons,' I ran up on the stage and grabbed one little girl and kissed her in my excitement because I was just so happy and proud of LeBrei,'' Simmons said. ``What really sparked it, though, was the fact that I'm a single parent and in the military. I not only have to balance my military obligations but my home as well.''
Simmons said she instills in LeBrei how necessary education is by setting an example instead of just talking about it.
``When I was in night school we did our homework together, and the TV did not come on until we both were done,'' Simmons said.
LeBrei also received a letter of commendation from Col. M.E. Williams, Simmons' commanding officer.
Williams said LeBrei is a part of their military family, and they're proud of her accomplishments.
``Kids are our future,'' Williams said. ``And it's good to see them do good because you always hear so many negative things about kids.''
The glory kept coming for LeBrei when she took second place in her class essay contest. Each student had to write an essay about ``Taking a Stand'' against drugs.
In her essay LeBrei wrote: ``The only person that pulls you down is you.''
LeBrei said D.A.R.E. has been a strong force in preparing her for any confrontations she may have with a drug pusher.
``If someone offered me drugs, I would try to change the subject or just give them the cold shoulder,'' she said.
Stressing her belief in having a drug-free body and being strong enough to say no to violence, gangs and drugs, LeBrei ends her essay with: ``I want to always be smart and never hang with drug people or have to be around them. This is the decision I want to make.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by PAUL A. AIKEN
LeBrei Simmons was chosen Poplar Halls Elementary's Student of the
Year by teacher Myrtle Johnson and D.A.R.E. officer Sidney
Delepine.
by CNB