THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 28, 1996 TAG: 9604260171
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
Chesapeake Pride was again a national hit.
The 35-member Chesapeake Pride team, made up of students from all five Chesapeake high schools, traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio, for the World Drug Conference, an international gathering of students, educators, administrators, professionals and law enforcement officials dealing with the global problem of drug and alcohol abuse.
Malia Piper, Pride administrator and a career guidance counselor at Oscar F. Smith High School, said the event was divided into three conferences: an international meeting, a young people's convention and a conference for educators, professionals and law-enforcement personnel.
The theme for the conference was ``Strengthening America Through Healthy Communities One Family At a Time.''
Chesapeake Pride is a group of Chesapeake high school students who make a pledge to adhere to a responsible and drug-free lifestyle. The group also spreads the message of eschewing drugs and alcohol and embracing a tolerant yet responsible life through performances featuring music, dramatic sketches and dance routines developed by the Pride International group.
Led by Piper and artistic director William R. ``Billy'' Williams, the group performs at area schools, anti-drug rallies, conventions and in front of civic groups and organizations.
Membership into the group is through auditions, usually held once a year at Oscar F. Smith High School. In addition, the group holds regular retreats to hone performance routines and learn new ones. It also holds regular dinner theater performances, car washes, doughnut sales and other fund raising efforts to earn money for operating expenses, performance equipment, music and trips to conferences like the recent Cincinnati event.
The Pride team were in the event's all-star talent showcase, performing ``You Can Be,'' a musical number featuring Pride singers and dancers.
``The theme of the song is you can be anything you choose to be,'' Piper said. ``It's our responsibility to change the world. The performance was very well-received. It's an honor to perform at this all-star showcase.''
Piper said the only way a Pride team can get on the opening night bill is to send an audition tape to a conference selection committee. The Chesapeake team was only one of 11 other teams performing out of scores that applied.
``The judges look at the routines to see if something new or innovative is being done with the Pride music,'' she said. ``You're selected on originality and creativity.''
On Friday morning, the Chesapeake kids performed for the convention's general session. The team performed ``Building Bridges.''
Pride member Amy Denise Jones was selected as one of five national 1996 Pride Youth award winners.
When not performing, Piper said the Pride teens attended day-long workshops, dances and other evening fellowship activities. by CNB