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Students on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune were challenged to stay alcohol and drug free and set goals to achieve their dreams on April 19.
"We live in a country that gives people the opportunity to achieve their dreams and goals with the right skills and right effort," said Roman Gabriel III, president of the Sold Out program and former professional football quarterback. "We can accomplish a great deal of things through preparation, determination and hard work."
Gabriel spoke to youth on Camp Lejeune about the Sold Out pledge to start the conversation to reduce underage drug and alcohol usage.
"We created the Sold Out program in 2003 and our goal is to show students that they can be sold out to their dreams and goals and still be away from drugs and alcohol," said Gabriel. "So our goal is to reach them before they make that life decision."
The program has challenged more than 70 percent of North Carolina and Tennessee students to take the public pledge against alcohol and drug usage.
"We want students to understand that they have a choice," said Gabriel. "Peer pressure is one thing, but you have a choice about the direction you take in your life."
Since its inception, the program has reached out to students, teachers, coaches and parents to abstain from alcohol and drugs, and to continue to strive to do their best in every facet of life.
"I believe Roman conveys important messages to our youth, in addition to encouraging them to remain abstinent from alcohol and drugs," said Suzie Ulbrich, public affairs assistant for Onslow County Schools. "His presentation connects with students, and gets their attention through the use of video, music and lots of sports analogies. I am a firm believer his online 365 Sold Out Follow Up program will provide them with support after he leaves."
Gabriel hopes to urge students to have a conversation about drugs and alcohol with their peers and families to increase awareness about the harmful effects it could have.
"It’s a true honor and pleasure to serve these students who are the children of these great men and women who serve our country and that’s how I was brought up to respect the military for everything they do for us," said Gabriel. "To be at school today and challenge kids to prepare for success and go about it by practicing the fundamentals so the newer generation of students has a better chance at life than the generation before them."
| Date Taken: | 04.28.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 05.09.2016 16:13 |
| Story ID: | 197703 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE , NC, US |
| Web Views: | 45 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Former football player speaks to Lejeune students, by Sgt Sean Berry, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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