THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 26, 1996 TAG: 9604240101
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
When Amy Denise Jones was 13 years old, her brother and a friend were involved in a drunken driving auto accident. The friend was killed, and Amy's brother suffered a broken collar bone. Amy decided then and there to dedicate her life to turning teens away from drugs and alcohol.
Her dedication has paid off.
The 18-year-old Oscar F. Smith High school senior recently won the 1996 Pride Youth Award at the national Pride convention March 27-31 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Chesapeake Pride team attended the World Drug Conference, sponsored by Pride, which involved more than 9,000 students, teachers, educators, administrators, business people and law enforcement personnel.
Chesapeake Pride is a member of the international Pride network and exists to encourage young people to stay away from drugs and lead responsible lives. The team delivers its message in the form of spirited song and dance performances and dramatic sketches.
``Well, when you only award five of these nationally, it is indeed a very prestigious award,'' said Malia Piper, Oscar F. Smith High School's career guidance counselor and administrative director of Chesapeake Pride.
Piper said the criteria for the award includes living a drug-free lifestyle, commitment to the Pride program, spotless character and a record of working well with others.
She said all of those qualities easily apply to Jones, the daughter of Connie Jones and Richard Jones.
Jones has been a member of the Pride team for the past three years. Piper said she has constantly espoused the Pride ideal of living a drug-free and responsible life while working for her school and community by trying to keep other youngsters away from drugs and alcohol.
On top of that, Jones is a member of the National Honor Society; president of the school's Key Club; Miss Oscar Smith 1994-95; a varsity cheerleader; a member of Project Success, a tutoring program at B.M. Williams Elementary School; a member of Pals for Peers; and an Oscar Smith conflict mediator.
In addition, she is active at the South Norfolk Baptist Church; she participates in World Changers, a summer youth mission program; and she was recognized by Families United Against Drugs as its 1995 Outstanding Drug-Free Youth.
``I think it says a lot about the quality of program and quality of Chesapeake public schools that in the last five we've had two national award winners,'' Piper said. ``They were Jeffrey Scott Williams, also of Oscar Smith, who won in 1994, and now Amy.''
Letters of recommendation that accompanied Jones' application were full of praise:
``Even in a group like Pride, students like Amy are few and far between,'' Piper wrote. ``She actively and vocally promotes drug-free living as the best choice for anyone of any age. She is a sincere person with a message she believes and models to others daily. As a performer, Amy sparkles with energy, enthusiasm and enjoyment. She can light up a stage and help others find their own light as well.''
Glenn Koonce, principal of Oscar F. Smith High School from 1990-95 and current director of pupil discipline and student activities for Chesapeake public school, wrote: ``I became attuned to her love of life and love for others. Her special gift is to promote emotional healing in others who face unfortunate circumstances.''
``Amy Jones seeks out projects that provide services to others,'' wrote Janet M. Andrejco , current Oscar F. Smith High School principal. ``What has impressed me most about Amy over the past few years is that she could be a member of many other school organizations, but she realizes the difference between membership and active membership. She firmly believes that being a part of a group means believing in the mission of the group and working to see that the mission is accomplished.''
Jones said she was surprised that she had been chosen for the recognition.
``I had no idea,'' Jones said. ``I was very surprised and very honored. It's cool to know to know that you're a national award winner.''
Jones said her primary contribution to the local Pride troupe is her dancing.
``I don't study dance, she said. ``I just dance. I've done it for such a long time and I've been cheering since I was about 4 years old. I love jazz dancing and am now getting into lyrical dance styles.''
Jones, whose hobbies are cheering and reading, said she'll attend James Madison University in the fall to major in psychology and English.
But until then she'll work hard to keep her peers from drugs and alcohol.
``People should not to be afraid to be drug free,'' she said. ``We're a minority, but we're working on making us a majority. If you reach at least one person during our performances and convince him or her to stay away from drugs, that makes it all worthwhile.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
Amy Denise Jones is an 18-year-old senior at Oscar F. Smith High
School.
by CNB