Perry Meridian High School - Passages Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

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P«rry Becomes Part of the ' ' FADD ' Alcohol and drug abuse problems have reached epidemic proportions among teenagers. Perry Meridian High School was| no exception, said counselor Cindy Bertram. Drinking was an American disease and students at Perry were suscepti- ble. The popular weekend activity was the same; attend parties and get dnmk. Students continued to pursue this dangerous activity even when parents, administrators, and experts supplied information validating drug ' s and alcohol ' s destructive potential. Finally a group of students decided to annihilate this negative force. They were prompted by Senator Dan Quayle ' s seminar on the subject of teenage drug abuse, and with the motivation of Mrs. Bertram, Falcons Against Drinking and Drugs, was formed. Hamid Abugadeiri ' 83, Bill Fulton ' 83, Rick Burgett ' 84, Jill Fortuna ' 84, and Wme Ritterskamp ' 84, along with Mrs. Bertram and represen- tatives from Southport High School, were the original members who at- tended Senator Quayle ' s seminar at lUPUI. They Ustened to Robert Anastis, founder of SADD (Students ' Against Driving Drunk), Bill Essex from the Indianapolis police depart- ment, and Senator Quayle. The program focused on stimula- ting students to do something about teenage drug abuse by employing the ideas discussed. This motivation worked for Mrs. Bertram returned and organized a total of fifteen peo- ple, including Mr. Michael Slack and Mr. James Head, to serve on an ex- ecutive board. The members included seniors Bill Fulton, Scott Shover, Lisa Yen, Angie McPhee, Joan Candler , Suzarme Boyle, Hamid Abugideiri, and Jane Hildebrandt, juniors Lone Ritterskamp, Michelle Moye, Steve Cox, Rick Burgett, and Jill Fortuna, sophomore John Knabel, and freshman Becky Trief. This board then set about becoming a formally recognized club. By-laws were writ- ten and approved, Lorie Ritterskamp ' 84 was elected president and Angie McPhee ' 83 secretary and the club name FADD was chosen. FADD ' s first project was to generate funds to support their cause. PM painter ' s hats were design- ed by Bill Fulton ' 83 and sold to be worn at the 1983 Basketball Coimty Tournament and Perry ' s official hat day. The profits were used to fund FADD week, the week of April 18, 1983 where FADD officially launched its membership drive. During the special week, board members visited each homeroom and explained the purposes of FADD; to change attitudes and habits surroimding alcohol and drugs, and provide alternative social activities centered aroimd fun. The event that brought the week to its climax was the FADD party, held on Friday, April 22. Swimming, basketball, dancing, volleyball, and mingling proved to everyone that alcohol and drugs do not make fun — people do. In May, FADD once again enter- tained the student body. This time, the students learned something. Mr. Bill Essex, public relations affiliate for the police department, talked to 52 PROFILES ta

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; Uf e Style r - Extracurricular activities gave students something to put their energies into besides scholastic achievements. It added to the development of one ' s character. There was something for everyone in business, science, math, art, journalism .... Perry could be proud of the various extracurricular ac- tivities offered to its student body to lead. A new and much needed club was organized known as FADD, Falcon Against Drink- ing and Drugs. It was one of the fastest growing organiza- : tions in Perry ' s history. The main pxirpose of this group was to educate students to the realistic dangers of drinking alcohol and taking drugs and to promote alternative social ac- tivities for substance abuse. FADD members were guided by sponsors Mrs. Cindy Ber- tram, Mr. Michael Slack, and Mr. James Head and an ex- ecutive board of qualified students. The year ' s developments helped to add to the enchant- ment of better things to come as preparations for the future were made. ■x LIFESTYLE 51

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Perry ' s students on May 9 in the auditorium. He discussed positive motivation and stressed the need of communication between parents and students. FADD finished out its year with definite goals for the future. Member- ship was growing, but FADD had to strive to educate everyone. With the support of faculty, commimity, and students, FADD would continue to achieve its goal. Laura Need ' 84 felt that FADD will make people aware, because many do not realize that they actually have a problem. FADD can help because it wiU promote activities that others want to be involved in. The idea of promoting alternative activities was a basis for FADD ' s pro- gram. Cathy Brehob ' 84 said, Students need to realize that the problem exists and try to correct it. Sean Clark ' 85 felt that, FADD wiU get more response from people. I think that too many kids are into the drug and drinking stuff. There are too many drugs just floating Eiround, and no one seems to care. Finally something is being done to get people involved in something worthwhile. Loric Ritterskamp ' 84 listens attentively as Mrs. Bertram gives her detailed instructions. Jennifer Hurrle ' 85 displays her FADD hat on Perry ' s first official hat day. A party scene is recreated in practice for a FADD skit by Suzanne Boyle ' 83 Lorie Ritter- skamp ' 84 and Joan Candler ' 83. Michelle Moye ' 84 gives a stirring enactment of a drunk and dead teenager. Presiuent Lorie Ritterskamp ' 84 brings the committee up to date on activities planned for FADD week. PROFILES 53