Da’Bria Spurgeon of Wilson Middle and Kyle Cook of Southwest Middle, won the local 2010 Do the Write Thing Essay contest at an awards banquet April 26.  The winners were recognized by Charlotte Chief of Police Rodney Monroe. 

The contest is part of the National Campaign to Stop Violence, a coalition of businesses, community leaders and organizations that help to educate children about violence. 

More than 2,000 students from 14 middle schools wrote about how youth violence and drug abuse has affected their lives and what they can do to help stop it.  There were 28 finalists in the contest. 

Da’Bria’s essay tells about her personal experiences with peer pressure and youth violence.  She wrote about how peer pressure led her to disobey her parents and make choices that came with severe consequences at home and at school.  Her story also explains that a teenagers living environment affects their behavior.

“I have a voice at school and in my community,” Da’Bria said.  “I will try to make the neighborhoods I live in better and bigger for the next generation.”

Kyle wrote about his family’s experiences with drugs.  His essay explains how adults are affected by peer pressure and the effects their actions have on the family.  Kyle thinks that parents can help control youth violence by monitoring what their children watch on television and the types of video games they play.  He also thinks counselors should be available to students at school, in the community and also at their homes.

“The most average person living a normal life can be affected by these things and it can change their life forever,” Kyle said. 

Da’Bria and Kyle have been named national Ambassadors for Charlotte-Mecklenburg.  The students and several CMS teachers will attend a special ceremony in Washington, D.C. this summer at no charge.  The students received a certificate, MP3 player and tickets to Charlotte Knights baseball games and the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center.

The contest and event was sponsored by the Mecklenburg County Community Support Services and Project Safe Neighborhoods.  For more information, visit www.charmeck.org/DTWT or contact Ronnie Devine at 704-336-8630 or Ronnie.Devine@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

2010 Do the Write Thing Finalists