Ema Terriquez

D.A.R.E. America Youth Advisory Board

Nevada Representative

My home is in Carson City – the state capital, which is a medium sized community with our share of problems.  I am a freshman at Carson High School.  14 years old, and have a lot of energy.

I completed D.A.R.E. in 5th grade and voluntarily completed the middle school D.A.R.E. program the next year. This program had a very big impact on my life. I am involved with D.A.R.E. because I have experienced the need first-hand for intervention, and learned from my own mistakes.  People ask me, “Why do you volunteer?”  You see, D.A.R.E. is very important to me. I grew up in one of the worst neighborhoods in Carson City where gangs, drugs, and violence ruled the streets.  We could hear gun shots, see police come, and people did not play outside in my neighborhood because they were afraid something might happen.  It is getting better because of a positive relationship that has been built with law enforcement.

My D.A.R.E. Officer has mentored me for the past 3 years and has included me in many outreach projects which has been a lot of hard work, fun and very rewarding.   I have helped interpret (I speak Spanish) at D.A.R.E. booths, for the Mobil Recreation Unit, and the Boys and Girls Club.  I have helped with the Cops and Kids Spaghetti Dinner, Sheriff’s Open House (safety fair) which gets cops and kids to interact with each other.  I was the M.C. for the Nevada State D.A.R.E. Conference.  I also helped with National Night Out which is a huge event in Carson City.  I have worked hard and met a lot of people. 

D.A.R.E. has given me the opportunity to do something positive and make a difference in my community.  Today, I have gone from being a D.A.R.E. graduate, to a community role model.  I hope to continue making a difference by serving on this youth advisory board.  Thank you for giving youth like me the chance.

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