Tour of Excellence Honors DARE Grads

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Sidney, Neb. - The

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>University of Nebraska is known for establishing traditions. The Huskers have a rich tradition of academic and athletic excellence, and for the past 11 years Husker student-athletes have dedicated their spring break to community outreach.  

 

The 2005 Tour of Excellence kicked off in Sidney, Neb., with a contingency of 12 University of Nebraska representatives and Miss Nebraska 2004. 

 

These individuals congratulated 100 fifth-grade Sidney elementary students who recently completed the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program.  Featured speakers included former Husker quarterback Garth Glissman and past track and field scholar-athletes Ian Gray and Ann Gaffigan. 

 

Glissman challenged the graduates to lead their lives with character and perseverance.  Gray explained that each and every person is a role model, and others are constantly watching your actions.

 

“Support each other as pressures and decisions will continue to build as you get older,” Gray said. 

 

Ann Gaffigan, one of the top steeplechase athletes in America and the 2004 Nebraska Female Student-Athlete of the Year, attributed her accomplishments to her parents. 

 

“My parents loved me unconditionally and had very high expectations of me," Gaffigan said. "Have high expectations of yourself and you will make good decisions in life and also be very successful.” 

 

Other highlights of the DARE graduation ceremony included remarks from Miss Nebraska 2004 Brook Matthews, who emphasized the importance of listening to your heart and making good decisions.   Ten DARE graduates shared essays they had written committing themselves to remaining drug and alcohol free. 

 

Each graduate received a certificate as well as congratulations from all representatives on the Tour of Excellence.  The program concluded with exciting performances from Willie Amos and Lil’ Red.  Amos dazzled the crowd with his World Champion jump rope skills and Lil’ Red was crowd favorite, bringing smiles to all.

 

The Tour of Excellence continued on Tuesday, March 15 with classroom presentations in Sidney and an assembly in Ogallala.