In an effort to keep children educated about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, Iowa State’s Best of America group is taking part in a national program, sending college students to speak to kids about making good choices.

“The focus of this program is to convey a positive message — that they should be setting goals for themselves,” said Meg Stumme, coordinator for Best of America.

Speakers will go to classrooms with students ranging from elementary school to the high school age. At the meetings, students are taught the consequences of drug and alcohol use, and may participate in discussions with the panel of students.

Agus Widjaja, graduate student advisor for Best of America, said, “The speakers will have one-on-one contact with the kids, teaching them not to submit to peer pressure and to set life goals.”

Widjaja also said skits might be performed involving the children.

“We have spoken to people from Air Force ROTC to various greek organizations, as well as student athletes about taking part,” Stumme said.

This differs slightly from past years, Widjaja said. “Traditionally, we had student athletes do the majority of the talking. This year, along with the athletes, we have talked to leaders of student organizations and the dean of the College of Education.”

Stumme said speaker diversity was a goal.

Along with their activities, Stumme also wanted the group of speakers to be ethnically and racially diverse.

“We want to have a balance in our panel similar to that in the classroom,” Stumme said.

“The neighborhoods that these students grow up in aren’t as tight as they used to be, so the speakers can become new role models for the students,” Stumme said.

The Ames community has been involved with the program for five years.

If people are interested, Stumme said, they are welcome to attend a training session 7 p.m. Wednesday in Room 150 of Carver Hall.