Crown Point, Indiana Celebrates 20 years of DARE with a visit from Retro Bill

International DARE Safety Buddy Bill Russ Jr.,

originally from Aurora, Ill., speaks to students

at Solon Elementary School in Crown Point.

CROWN POINT | Growing up in Aurora, Ill., Bill Russ Jr. was one merit badge away from becoming an Eagle Scout.

"I was bullied and made fun of and basically it made me quit Scouts. I never got to be that Eagle Scout I wanted to be," Russ, also known as "Retro Bill," said.

"So I made it up in my mind that one thing I am going to dedicate my life to is fighting against bullying by inspiring our young people to be positive, to be leaders, to be good citizens."

Now a Los Angeles radio and television personality, Russ, the official International DARE Safety Buddy, presented his motivational message to fourth- and fifth-grade students at Timothy Ball and Solon Robinson elementary schools.

His appearance was part of Crown Point's observation of the 20th anniversary of the city's DARE program.

"The most important message is to help our kids in every area of their life make healthy choices," Russ said. "I believe we must get them to take ownership of who they are, pride in self, if it is a good self, and ownership of their dreams."

The energetic Russ, who sports an Elvis style pompadour hair do, uses many props to get across his motivational message including a television remote, suitcase, hula hoop, door stop, safety cones and stuffed animals.

When Russ asked to students to raise their hands if they had been bullied or treated unkindly, most hands went up.

His main messages are: follow your dreams, don't allow others to put you down, be kind to other students, stay on a positive channel, don't give up and use diversionary tactics.

Police Chief Pete Land said it was a huge endeavor to bring Retro Bill to Crown Point.

"Everybody in DARE and law enforcement knows Retro Bill," Land said.

By Diane Poulton Times Correspondent

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