K-M SADD gives back to law enforcement

One of the biggest supporters of local Students Against Destructive Decisions groups around the country is the local law enforcement personnel.

That’s why last week the K-M SADD group gave back to the Dodge County law enforcement through a meal at the Sheriff's Office.

After doing it for the first time last year their advisor, Cori Ronnenberg, explained that they were looking forward to doing it again this year.

“They were excited to serve the officers again this year,” Ronnenberg said.

The event was started last year when the group was talking about different community service projects that they could do throughout the year.

Eventually the students came up with the idea and they decided to go forward with it.

“The students were the ones who thought of the idea,” said Jesse Kasel, K-M School Resource Officer, who also helps out a lot with the group.

During the annual meal the law enforcement officers mingled with the students while enjoying a meal together.

Aside from serving the officers and members of dispatch a meal they also gave them all thank you cards to show their support for them.

During the evening the students also got a chance to check out the dispatch center which was eye opening for many of the students.

Throughout the year the 35 member group does a number of different things to promote making good decisions.

Some of the activities that they do include things like helping with DARE lessons at the elementary and middle school, helping with a mock crash every three years as well as hosting prom assemblies to promote making good choices on prom night.

The group also helps to promote good decisions by teaming up with organizations like Towards Zero Deaths which is a way to get help with lunch time activities throughout the year to hopefully deter destructive behaviors by their peers.

Ronnenberg, explained that the program helps out a lot because it hopefully deters people in the community from making bad decisions.

“It helps the community fight destructive decisions,” she said.

While some may think of the SADD group being negative Ronnenberg explained that they try to be positive and try to promote making good decisions.

“We try to have it as a positive experience instead of negative one,” Ronnenberg explained.

The students in the group also are committed to not making destructive decisions and being good role models because they make commitments and sign contracts saying that they won’t make destructive decisions.

Ronnenberg explained that if students don’t uphold the commitment they make then they can be removed.

For Kasel, the program is great because students are more likely to listen and react more to peers rather than students.

“It helps having the message coming from peers,” Kasel stated.