SADD names local

By Staff
student to council
From staff reports
Students Against Destructive Decisions, the national school-based peer-to-peer education and prevention organization, recently announced that Sasha Willingham of Russellville has been named to the Executive Committee of SADD's National Student Leadership Council for the 2006-07 school year.
Chosen from a nationwide pool of highly-qualified applicants, she is one of three students on the committee and joins nine other council members who will represent the hundreds of thousands of SADD students in chapters across the country.
"Sasha's leadership and her work and dedication to issues affecting teens make her a great choice to join the Executive Committee of SADD's Student Leadership Council," said Stephen G. Wallace, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SADD.
"We will now rely on Sasha to use her experiences on the state and local levels to help guide our organization as we work nationally to develop programs that will positively affect teens and their decision-making regarding drugs, alcohol, and other key issues facing today's youth."
The SADD National Student Leadership Council advises the SADD National Board of Directors on policies, programs, and plans, and implements the SADD National Conference. The council also serves as a national and regional student representation network. Members of the Student Leadership Council represent SADD at local, regional, and national events and engagements.
Willingham, a junior at Russellville High School, has been a dedicated member of the organization for the past five years, according to SADD officials.
Willingham is president of the junior class, captain of the girls basketball team, and a member of the RHS marching band. Willingham is also active in the community. She participated in the National Honor Society's "Kids in the Outdoors" event, and last September, was involved in a fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina victims. Willingham also performs volunteer work for the Franklin Chamber of Commerce.
"Being selected to the Executive Committee of SADD's National Student Leadership Council is a great honor, one that is well deserved and brings great pride to our state and local organizations that have worked so hard to educate teens about responsible decision-making," said John Perkins, Alabama's SADD State Coordinator.
"Sasha has been an exceptional leader for SADD in Alabama, working tirelessly to ensure that teens are aware of the perils of underage drinking and other drug use. We are confident she will thrive as an educator and as an important advocate for teens nationwide," added Perkins.
SADD is a national student-based organization with chapters in thousands of middle schools, high schools, and colleges across the country. Its mission is to provide students with prevention and intervention tools to effectively address issues such as underage drinking, drug use, impaired driving, teen violence, and suicide. More information about SADD can be found at www.sadd.org.