Friendswood Junior High began its fourth year with a CLEAR membership rally in the auditorium of the new campus. Clean Living Encouragement and Responsibility (CLEAR) is a student-led organization that helps to change norms about alcohol and substance abuse. CLEAR sponsors Beth Pavelka, Corey Dalton, Jermaine Sonnier and Christina Holt welcomed 170 new members into the organization at the meeting. Sixth grader Aleah Thomas won a free CLEAR t-shirt for correctly telling the group what CLEAR stand for.
          Beth Pavelka gave introductory remarks and shared information about possible activities with the junior high students.  Corey Dalton talked about a “buddy system” that would help 6th grade members get to know 7th and 8th grade members.
          Debbie Woodson, director of guidance and counseling for FISD and 6th grade counselor, introduced four high school CLEAR members who spoke to the group.  Kyle Sanders, a sophomore active in choir and theater; Kenton Hannemann, a senior active in PALS, sports medicine and choir; Katelyn Sanders, a senior active in sports medicine; and Blythe Dever, a senior active in theater, choir and a class officer talked about what membership had meant to them and why they had chosen to participate in the organization to promote drug-free activities.
          Lynn Shigekawa, coordinator of the Friendswood Alliance for Youth and Families, congratulated the students on their commitment to living a drug-free lifestyle. She gave the members a challenge to increase the percentage of students who participate in CLEAR at the junior high and commended 6th graders on their enthusiasm. She also reminded the 6th graders that “You are a true pioneer group because this is the first year that you have been allowed to become members.” She ended with the good news that “according to our 2010 Texas School Survey of Friendswood 6, 7 and 8th graders, 86.4% have not used alcohol in the past year; 93.5% have not used inhalants; 96.9% have not used tobacco; and 97.9% have not used marijuana.”
          Three 8th grade students, Anne Balderrama, Lydia Golightly and Ana Martinez modeled t-shirts that will go on sale at the next meeting for $5 each.  Members were encouraged to give their ideas and suggestions to their CLEAR sponsors.