THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 24, 1994 TAG: 9411220172
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Crime doesn't pay, but crime-fighting can, as two Norfolk elementary students have learned.
Brooke Estes, a fourth-grader at Sewells Point Elementary, and Ora Kemp, a first-grader at Bay View Elementary, each won a bicycle in a coloring contest sponsored by Citizens Against Crime.
The winners received their prizes at assemblies held in their respective schools Nov. 17. The contest is intended to increase recognition of October as National Crime Prevention Month.
At Sewells Point Elementary, the presentation followed a concert presented by Young Audiences. Participating were Citizens Against Crime instructors Cheryl Wise and Mike Lipieko, assisted by Sgt. Wally Driskell, head of Crime Prevention for the Norfolk Police Department, and Rob Gooding of Wal-Mart.
Wise announced Brooke as the winner only after building up the suspense as much as the audience would allow. As she spoke the winner's name, a look of astonishment spread across the bright-eyed 10-year-old's face, rapidly replaced by a wide smile. The winner made her way to the front of the auditorium, still unaware of exactly what she had won.
Two other awards, a T-shirt and a book and tape set titled ``Say No To Drugs and Alcohol'' were presented to her before the purple Murray 24-inch bike was wheeled in and placed in front of her.
``I think it's fantastic,'' said Brooke's teacher, Gail Englert. ``She definitely deserved to win. Our school is a terrific school, and we produce winners. But we can't take full credit. It's a team effort between school and the home.''
At Bay View Elementary, the presentation was made following announcements recognizing students for perfect attendance, honor roll and improved performance. Lipieko did the honors, assisted by Wise, Driskell and Gooding.
The recipient, Ora Kemp, 6, already knew that she had won, having been informed earlier. Her award was a pink Murray 20-inch bike.
Her first-grade teacher, Ginger Fleshman, shared her excitement.
``I think it's wonderful, exciting, to see one of your students win something,'' said Ora's teacher, Ginger Fleshman.
Both bicycles were donated by Gooding, co-manager of the Wal-Mart on Military Highway.
All Norfolk public elementary schools participated in the contest, Lipieko said. Students colored a poster and, on the back, answered a question. For those in kindergarten through second grade, the question was, ``When should I dial 911?'' Students in third through fifth grades answered, ``How can I be a Kid Against Crime?''
Citizens Against Crime is a national crime prevention organization with more than 50 offices ``from here to Seattle,'' Lipieko said. The Norfolk office, on the 9000 block of Granby Street, with a staff of seven, ``was named business of the year in 1993 by the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners. We're pretty proud of that recognition,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by DAWSON MILLS
Brooke Estes, top, and Ora Kemp with their new bicycles.
by CNB