President Barack Obama proclaimed April 8 National DARE Day in order to provide citizens with the opportunity to reflect upon the dangers of drugs, gangs and violence and to emphasize efforts to combat these threats.
As part of the National DARE Day celebration, the students and alumni of Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education, DARE program, Get Up and Try Something, or GUTS, program, Gang Resistance Education And Training, or GREAT, program held a walkathon activity on the island of Rota.
The walkathon, organized by the Pacific Regional Training Institute director Edward Maratita Jr., had the students walking from Tatachong Pavilion to the Round House in Songsong Village. The organizer hopes to continue to make it an annual event on Rota in April to celebrate National DARE Day.
In addition, the concept was designed to empower children by offering them a chance to stay healthy and raise funds for a good cause while doing what they do best, staying healthy and doing something positive for a change.
According to region commander Jon Takamura, “the program is important because it provides children with an opportunity, a shot to understand what healthy, good decisions are. It provides these students with more than just a curriculum.”
Founded in 1983, DARE is so successful it is now implemented in 75 percent of our nation’s school districts and more than 43 countries around the world.
For their untiring support, contribution, and commitment, the PRTI and ESFDB DARE/GUTS/GREAT Student Body Association extend its appreciation to all the parents, friends, donors, Jesse and Evelyn Quinata of Rota, Barrigada Vice Mayor June U. Blas of Guam, the Guam Fire Department, Paul and Kendra Tanaka of Hawaii, Jeffrey Sai of Hawaii, Maj. Jon Takamura of Hawaii, Capt. Peter Wong of Hawaii, Kristine Koide of Hawaii, Honolulu Federal Credit Union, Bay Breeze Restaurant of Rota, and the Rota community for the support given to the students.
“To everyone who participated and helped in any way, a big thank you and God bless!” said Maratita.
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