Students Against Destructive Decisions Awards Two Scholarships

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. -- (August 1, 2003) - Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) has awarded two student leaders, Cory Erickson from Hillsboro, ND, and Amanda Jones of Tallahassee, FL, with scholarships towards their college education. Two panels composed of SADD National Board members, SADD Student Leadership Council members, and national staff judged applicants in several categories including a student's efforts in acting as a role model for their peers, displaying integrity and tolerance, and committing to a substance-free lifestyle.

"The goal was to select two worthy students who, through their extracurricular achievements and activities, demonstrated an understanding of the critical risks that face today's youth as well as an ability to overcome them," said Penny Wells, executive director of SADD. "These are two dynamic student leaders who embody the spirit of SADD and have served as role models within their communities, empowering other youth to make positive decisions about challenges in their everyday lives."

The funds were acquired from a penny drive during last year's SADD National Conference which garnered the organization $600-funds that were then matched by a member of SADD's Board of Directors. The $600 scholarships will be used specifically for college tuition expenses.

Both scholarship winners have been outstanding members of their SADD chapters. Cory Erickson of North Dakota, who will be attending the University of North Dakota this fall, has been an active SADD member for six years, five of which he was an officer of his chapter. He served on the North Dakota SADD State Advisory Board, actively participated in developing programming for numerous SADD national conferences, and helped produce training videos for use by peers in sister chapters across the country.

Amanda Jones worked diligently as a founding member and elected officer of her high school SADD chapter, serving as its president in her senior year. She has devoted hundreds of hours working with the local police and sheriff's department in Tallahassee to promote and expand a campaign on safety belt use that she later introduced to her school and other high schools throughout the area. Amanda will attend Florida State University.

SADD is the nation's leading youth empowerment and prevention organization, with 10,000 chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges throughout the country. A peer leadership organization, SADD's mission is to prevent destructive decisions, particularly underage drinking, other drug use, impaired driving, and teen violence.

Back to top