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Nebraska children's video hero visits
DrugRehabs.org
Retro Bill
If the Wood River, Nebraska and Alda, Nebraska elementary students follow in the footsteps of the man to whom they flocked for autographs Thursday, they should do just fine.
"It's really important to be a good person and care about others," Retro Bill told the students from Wood River Elementary and Alda District 16.
Retro Bill, the star of a popular DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) video, visited the school Thursday for an afternoon assembly, during which he talked about respect, studying and doing good in school, and making positive choices.
"If you goof off or be a bully, bad things can happen. You can get in trouble and you'll have a grumpy day," Retro Bill told the students.
An energetic "blast from the past," Retro Bill was created and is performed by Hollywood, Calif., resident Bill Russ. Russ wrote, produced, directed and stars in the award-winning "D.A.R.E. Safety Tips Video starring Retro Bill."
The video was donated to the nation's DARE program in the fall of 2001 and has been used at Wood River Elementary School for the past three years.
"The kids love it. There's a lot of color and a lot of action," Hall County, Nebraska sheriff's Sgt. Rich McKinny said of Russ' video.
McKinny, the school's resource officer, said Retro Bill always has a smile on his face and is someone the kids love.
"He's a super, super strong supporter of DARE," McKinny said. "He's just dedicated to helping kids."
After rushing up to the bleachers and covering the majority of students with silly string, Retro Bill told how he left his home near the fires in California to tour Nebraska.
He told the students he did it because he cares and said their teachers come to school every day for the same reason.
Retro Bill told the students, in grades K-5, about bullies and being respectful of others, saying, "a lot of grumpy, mean people don't have many friends."
He also told them about the Retro Bill Hula Hoop theory.
"A Hula Hoop is something more than a toy," he said. "It reminds us of something very special -- what goes around comes around."
He called on District 16 kindergartner Trevor Keopp to help him with the Retro Bill salute. He said he noticed Trevor laughed when he was supposed to laugh and listened when it was time to listen. He called Trevor happy and respectful and said others could learn a lesson from his behavior.
After reminding the students to say no to alcohol, smoking and drugs, Retro Bill pulled out a Slinky for one final lesson.
"Just like a Slinky," he said, "inside a small person is a great thing."
He said his rainbow-colored Slinky was just one of many colors and sizes the toy comes in and said people are the same way.
"They're all different on the outside but special on the inside," he said.
Following the program, Retro Bill signed autographed pictures for his fans.
Since his tour of Nebraska began Nov. 3, he has visited schools in area communities, including Broken Bow, Nebraska; Aurora, Nebraska; Doniphan, Nebraska; and Wood River, Nebraska.
For more information on Retro Bill, log on to www.retrobill.com.
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