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Juiceless June supports grads

Support is growing for an effort aimed at demonstrating the value of alcohol avoidance in relationto high school grad month.

Students are encouraged to abstain from alcohol over the course of this landmark month.

“Every year at this time, Sooke holds its collective breath and crosses its fingers,” says RCMP Corporal Scott Hilderley, formerly stationed in Sooke and still a frequent visitor.   “It’s a time meant to congratulate the graduates of EMCS and honour their achievements through the celebrations surrounding their graduation ceremony.  But each year, the students feel pressured to incorporate alcohol into those celebrations and disastrous consequences often arise, marring an otherwise momentous occasion.

“This year the community is banding together and choosing to abstain from alcohol consumption for the entire month of June, to show support for the graduating kids and counteract the pressures that have traditionally dictated that alcohol was a necessary component of celebration.

“I’m proud of the community leaders and citizens who have committed to making this gesture in support of these graduates, so that the celebration of their achievements is just the beginning, and not a tragic end.”

S - Seeking

O - Our

O - Own

K - Kids’

E - Excellence

 

C - Choosing

A - Alcohol

R - Resistance as an

E - Example for

S - Students

 

Showing solidarity with grads who choose to keep their wits about them are, so far, employees and affiliates of the District of Sooke:

Lisa Urlacher;  Sue-Lin Tarnowsky; Susan Dyble; Tina Hansen;  Laura Byrne; Nikki Lewers; Elisabeth and Kelvin Nelson; Vicki Bennett; Medea Mills;

Councillors Bennett, Haldane, Berger and Beech.

Also embarking on a 30-day sauce-fast are a number of educational leaders of Sooke;

All Sooke RCMP and fire department staff; Sooke Baptist Church; BC Ambulance staff; Taxpayer/governance watchdog Gail Hall; Richard, Ellen, Derek, Timothy and Erica Lewers; Gerry Cummings of Sooke Hospice; Corporal Scott Hilderley; Brenda Parkinson; Dr. Chris Bryant, and Ted Dever.