Golden Valley, MN —  Minnesota D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), Inc. announced the selection of their Minnesota Youth Advisory Representative for 2016 – 2018.  Will Durie, a sophomore at Hibbing High School, was selected to represent Minnesota on a youth advisory committee for D.A.R.E. America/Worldwide.

 

The purpose of the D.A.R.E. America Youth  Advisory Board is to give D.A.R.E. graduates an opportunity to speak to issues impacting the worldwide D.A.R.E. program and to advise D.A.R.E. America and local D.A.R.E. programs, government and community leaders on health and safety prevention strategies beneficial to our youth.  The Y.A.B. is a working board, leading Peer PLUS programs (after-school programs for youth in their communities where there is interest), engaging in letter writing and media response, as well as role modeling and speaking at D.A.R.E. functions within their states.

 

Durie states “I cannot make decisions for other people nor can I tell them how to live their lives; but by example I may have an influence on young people and the choices that they make as they get older.”  “These days it isn’t always the popular choice to take a stand against drugs, alcohol, and violence.  The D.A.R.E. youth representative should be both confident and respected by peers; I view this position as an honor and a responsibility.”

 

Will Durie was nominated by Hibbing D.A.R.E. Officer Rachael Shiek.  Shiek wrote, “Will is an intelligent student who has put in extreme amount of hard work and has shown qualities I wish all of the students possessed.  Will’s dedication and perseverance has manifested itself into the only nominee from Hibbing High School for this auspicious position.”  Will plays on multiple sports teams, plays the piano, sings, participates in the knowledge bowl and math teams, and keeps his grades at a promising 4.0 average.

 

Durie’s parents, Bill and Trish, want to be involved and cheer Will on for whatever endeavor he chooses to take on.  They commented, they are “proud of Will assuming such a respectable and demanding role in society.”

 

The Minnesota D.A.R.E. program educates and advocates for the health and safety of our Minnesota children.  The program is taught by specially trained, uniformed law enforcement officers and governed by our local community business leaders.  Approximately 60,000-70,000 students are reached by the D.A.R.E. program in Minnesota, annually.

 

For more information contact Minnesota D.A.R.E., Inc. at 1-800-990-DARE(3273) or MNDARE@aol.com

 

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