Leaping to healthy stress relief

Members of the Look Before You Leap Club create posters with a drug-free message as an activity during the club meeting Tuesday at Truman Elementary in Nevada. The posters will be displayed in the hallways of Truman for other students to see.

By Ben Holman

Nevada Herald

On Tuesday, members of the Truman Elementary Look Before You Leap club, had a visit form Kelly McElmore, a cardio RN from Nevada Regional Medical Center.

McElmore talked to the third, fourth and fifth graders about stress and how it affects their bodies.

While most people think of stress as an adult problem, kids can get stressed too. McElmore discussed ways to avoid stress and ways to deal with stress with the group of young people. She also talked to the group about the importance of making healthy choices.

The Look Before You Leap Club is the only elementary drug-free program in the state of Missouri. The group was originally organized by teachers Sandy Gilmore and Tricia Brandt in 1997. In the first year, the club had 133 students and now boasts over 300.

Because of the large size of the club, meetings are usually broken into two stations. At one station the kids participate in singing the club song, saying the club pledge, eating a snack and participating in a lesson or activity -- this month the kids were making posters with drug-free messages on them to hang around the school. The other station is typically a speaker, video, skit, discussion or longer interactive activity.

The club meets every second Tuesday of the month and is open to any third-through-fifth-grader. There is no cost for students to join the club but students are asked to make a pledge to live their livesdrug-free. Each member signs a pledge card when joining the group.

In addition to regular club meetings, the group tries to attend one fun event per month as well, such as a sporting event or club sponsored skating party. This month they attended the Nevada High School Mat Warming -- being a member of the club entitles them to get in for free. While regular meetings are only conducted during the school year, the extra events continue to be held through the summer months.

Gilmore and Brandt say they started the club because they have a love for children and want them to be aware of the effects of tobacco, alcohol and drugs. "(we) want them to learn to be strong leaders in the fight against drug abuse," states a pamphlet about the club.

"We have wonderful parent support," said Gilmore. "We have only had positive feedback from our parents, students, staff, public and former members. Our parents have been very supportive by allowing their children to attend meetings and special events."