Photos: Kids march against drugs in downtown Riverhead

Pulaski Street Elementary School students took to the streets of downtown Riverhead to march against drugs and pledge to keep their bodies drug-free for Riverhead CAP’s 32nd annual “Say No to Drugs” march.

Joined by student mentors from the middle school and high school, teachers, school board members, district administrators, CAP community mentors and board members, and elected officials, the students stepped off at the Pulaski Street School and made a loop around the surrounding neighborhood, cheered on by residents and office-workers who came outside to greet them.

School Superintendent Nancy Carney, who is retiring in August, was the keynote speaker at the post-march rally on the Pulaski Street school’s expansive front lawn.

“The CAP program has given you knowledge of dangers of drug and alochol use and the tools to make the right choices” to stay away from those dangers,” Carney said.

“Always remember it’s easier to stay off drugs than get off drugs,” she told them.

“Being drug free is the only way to be if you want your dreams to come true,” Carney told the children.

She told the story of a high school senior who was awarded numerous scholarships at a ceremony last night.

“He had been heading down the wrong path by associating with the wrong group of kids and not paying attention to his school work,” Carney said. “After getting in a bit of trouble and being embarrassed for his parents and his younger siblings, he chose to turn his life around so he could make them all proud but most importantly to make himself proud — and he did just that. He got involved with band and Blue Masques made new friendships and worked hard at getting good grades,” the superintendent said. Last night, he was rewarded for his efforts with numerous scholarships.

“He’s going on to become a teacher,” Carney said, “so he can have a positive influence on others. His dreams are now coming true because he said no to the destructive influences and yes to the good.”

Carney told the children they can achieve anything with hard work and a good education.

“Don’t let drugs and bad choices get in your way,” she implored them. “Our community needs you. Our country needs you to be our future leaders. I urge you all to have a positive attitude and reach for the stars. Don’t cheat yourself. Say yes to your life and when it comes to drugs, to violence to bullying and to gangs remember what you’ve learned from CAP, from your teachers and from your parents.”

Sen. Ken LaValle, who helped get the CAP program started in 1982 with a $50,000 state grant, was on hand as he is every year for the march and ceremonies. Also participating was Town Supervisor Sean Walter and council members John Dunleavy, James Wooten and Jodi Giglio.

CAP executive director Felicia Scocozza said about 800 children participated in this year’s march.

A drone piloted by Joseph Oliver delighted the children after the ceremony by flying low over the crowd, with kids and adults alike reaching up to wave hello to the tiny “eye in the sky.”

“It’s a great event each year and I wouldn’t miss it,” LaValle said. He told the children the governor was on the East End today and invited him to a meeting. “I told him I can’t be two places at once and this is the place I wanted to be,” he said.