Thanks for team effort!

I would like to thank the following people for teaming up to the challenge Jefferson School students and other area elementary students to “Say No to Drugs” during specially planned school assemblies in November:

Don Berke, DeKalb police chief; Bruce Broders, DeKalb police detective; Jim Molinari, NIU head basketball coach; Donnell Thomas, NIU team captain of the men’s varsity basketball team; DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow; Paul Harren, representative, Amoco Oil Company; Mary Mihelich, NIU athletic department; Kevin Domenick, NIU athletic department.

At a Nov. 1 Jefferson School assembly, these leaders asked Jefferson School students to pledge their commitment to “Say No to Drugs.”

In exchange for that pledge, students received a certificate for free admission to the NIU vs. University of Illinois-Chicago men’s basketball game.

The students also received NIU basketball trading cards featuring a Huskie player and an anti-drug message. The Amoco Oil Company co-sponsored this program.

Although the students appreciated the tickets and the cards, I think the greatest impression upon the students was created by the fact that the mayor, chief of police, head basketball coach, NIU basketball team captain and others, took the time to come and talk with them.

These leaders are heroes to elementary students. Thanks for the team effort!

Robert Healey

Principal, Jefferson School