31st ANNUAL CAP "SAY NO TO DRUGS" MARCH AT PULASKI STREET SCHOOL
Photos / Video Highlights of the CAP March and the Presentations / CAP's Video
Officer Byron Perez -- Keynote SpeakerRiverhead Community Awareness Program, Inc. (CAP) sponsored its 31st Annual Say NO to Drugs March on June 10th.
Officer Byron Perez was this year’s honored guest and keynote speaker.
Since 1983 Riverhead Community Awareness Program, Inc. (CAP), a nonprofit organization, has been providing drug and alcohol prevention, education and counseling programs for the Riverhead Central School District. CAP is best known for its two-year prevention program serving over 800 fifth and sixth graders in Pulaski Street School each year. The program, taught by community volunteers and student peer leaders, concludes with the annual Say NO to Drugs March.
Byron Perez was this year’s honored guest and keynote speaker. Officer Perez, the son of immigrants and a 2003 graduate of Riverhead High School, has realized his American dream by becoming Riverhead’s first full-time Hispanic police officer. As part of his mission to give back to the community that has given so much to him, he became a volunteer for CAP’s Pulaski Street Elementary School Program in 2015. He teaches the monthly Life Skills lessons to a class of fifth and sixth-grade students who are new to this country, in their native Spanish language. Following the march, there was a brief ceremony on the steps of Pulaski Street School in which Officer Perez, along with NYS Senator Ken LaValle, District Superintendent Nancy Carney, and local dignitaries addressed the students and community. The essay contest winners, Emma Ellis (5th Grade) and Morgan Dunn (6th Grade), were also recognized.
In his keynote address, Officer Perez noted CAP offers Pulaski Street students “a critical line of social emotional support” that’s needed to guard against the pressures of succumbing to peer pressure. “I played varsity football and lived my whole entire life in Riverhead. I know very well the pressures our kids face. Thanks to my loving family, I was able to avoid the pitfalls that trap many. Now, it’s an honor for me to give back to the community that I love.” He concluded by sharing a short statement in Spanish. After the ceremony, the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #1742, once again, generously served a picnic lunch to all the students. Police Chief Hegermiller promised Slurpees at 7 Eleven for all. |
After the ceremony, the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #1742, once again, generously served a picnic lunch to all the students.
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