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DFYIT Celebrates Red Ribbon Week
MIAMI, FLORIDA - October 29, 2009 – Drug Free Youth In Town (DFYIT) is an organization dedicated to giving recognition to students who choose to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Their mission is to support the development of healthy, productive, drug-free youth. Student members do this by providing drug information, as well as opportunities to learn leadership skills through community service activities and educational field trips. DFYIT is under the direction of Ms. Ivonne Sotolongo, Trust Counselor.
One major DFYIT event is Red Ribbon Week specifically serving as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of students through a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to live drug free lives with the ultimate goal being the creation of drug free America. Classes attend substance abuse presentations during this week as well as a kickoff rally during the schoolwide lunch.
The best part about the program is that the club is led by students. Members elect the officers and members are given the opportunity to decide what activities are best for the group. There are over 600 Coral Reef Senior High School active students involved in DFYIT, who come from very different backgrounds. Members participate in a lot of activities, including, but not limited to community service, mentoring young children, club meetings, and special events that are all designed to celebrate the healthy, drug-free life that they have chosen.
The healthy choices that DFYIT members make, add to the positive impact made by providing a healthier environment for everyone in our community. Since its start in 1992, over 50,000 students have participated in the DFYIT program, impacting approximately 150,000 of their peers. Proudly, DFYIT members claim over a 99% drug-free rate!
Photo of DFYIT Members – Jennifer Katz, Alexis Sanchez, and Rosemary Trewin
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About Coral Reef
Coral Reef Senior High School,
Miami's Mega-Magnet, opened its doors in 1997 as
a $32.3 million facility. Coral Reef is located in the Southwest
of Miami-Dade County adjacent
to the Richmond Heights community on 59 beautifully landscaped
acres. Two open courtyards enhance the ambiance of the school
environment. The campus includes a seven-acre community park,
four outdoor basketball courts, six tennis courts, a quarter-mile
track, football and soccer practice fields, and softball and baseball
fields. In additional, there is an agriscience land-laboratory
containing a greenhouse, garden, and aquatic and small animal
areas. Large gatherings of students, parents and community members
can be comfortably accommodated in the state-of-the-art school
auditorium, which seats 804, and the gymnasium, which can accommodate
over 2,000 people. The building itself measures 306,000 square
feet excluding the courtyard, which measures over one acre. The
initial budget was projected at $64.5 million, but when completed
on June 19, 1997 the project required less money. Coral Reef Senior High School
is a unique four-year mega-magnet high school comprised of six
academics: International Studies/International Baccalaureate;
Business/Finance; Agriscience/Engineering Technology; Leisure
Medicine/Health Sciences; Visual/Performing Arts; and Legal/Public
Affairs. In additional to the academic, a comprehensive program
of activities and athletics is available to all students. Coral
Reef maintains close ties with numerous community professionals,
business, and agencies. Since the students have all applied to
attend (and subsequently been selected by lottery) and parents/community
totally support school programs, and environment exists which
promotes: high levels of academic commitment to the school and
outside community, and preparation for future success in the students,
approximately 24 percent of whom are white, non-hispanic students,
24 percent are African-American students, 45 percent are Hispanic
students, and eight percent are autistic, emotionally handicapped,
as well as other health impaired. Visit Coral Reef Senior High School at http://coralreef.dadeschools.net for more information. |
