SADD Co-Presidents Are Planning A Busy Year

By Laurie Borst

Newtown High School seniors Tina Sanchez and Allison Jagoe are this year’s co-presidents of the school’s chapter of SADD, Students Against Destructive Decisions. And they are ready to get to work. The club will hold weekly meetings on Wednesday afternoons at 2. The co-presidents also serve as student representatives to Newtown Prevention Council.

School Health Director Judy Blanchard and art teacher Carol Skolas are the club’s advisers.

“The kids do the work. They are the leaders,” said Ms Blanchard. “We are here to guide them.”

Tina and Allison definitely sounded ready to work. Already, on freshman parents’ night at the school, the co-presidents set up a table for the organization and had a few dozen freshmen sign up who were interested in joining the club.

At a planning meeting between the advisers and the presidents, they agreed that good communication within the school community was imperative. They discussed creating a website where information could be disseminated.

They decided that their first meeting would encompass reviewing goals for the year and looking at what activities had been done in the past as well as hearing what ideas other members may have.

In years past, SADD has sponsored assemblies and speakers prior to the prom, the Harvest Ball and Snow Ball, and before the start of the winter break. The presentations bring safety issues and good choices to the students’ attention.

Other activities SADD members take part in include food drives, a mitten tree, and adopting a family for the Thanksgiving/Christmas food basket program.

The group will observe Red Ribbon Week, October 23–31. The red ribbon’s original meaning was Celebrate Me, I’m Drug-Free!, and is sponsored by the National Family Partnership.

Besides the organization’s website (sadd.org), the students have other resources, including Choices Magazine and Decisions, a SADD publication. The group addresses many issues, including alcohol and drugs, eating habits, and lifestyle choices.

In previous years, high school students have served as role models and mentors to fifth graders who take part in the DARE program.

Tina and Allison want to go to the middle school, to educate students there and get them interested in SADD. They want to be connected with the younger community and help all to feel involved.

Like so many other Newtown students who choose to get involved and make a difference, these young ladies are active in numerous areas. Allison plays field hockey and dives on the boys winter swim team. She is a member of the National Honor Society, teaches CCD and Sunday school, and is thinking about majoring in engineering in college.

Tina plays field hockey and lacrosse, is a member of the Guidance Honors Association, and teaches vacation bible school. She is interested in pursuing a degree in early childhood education.

Both girls are members of the St Rose Senior Youth Group and have taken part in Fusion, a high school program pairing juniors with freshmen. They also are involved with a field hockey camp for kids.