Teen happy to be SADD ambassador

Wednesday, June 5, 2002 | 9:23 a.m.

When Ashley Conners was in the sixth grade, students were required to sign up for extracurricular clubs and activities. Unable to decide which group to join, Conners asked her teacher for advice and was steered toward SADD -- Students Against Destructive Decisions.

Formerly known as Students Against Drunk Driving, the group promotes a "no-use" policy when it comes to drugs, alcohol and teen violence.

"The message was that there are lots of ways to enjoy life without alcohol or other substances," Conners said. "That was a way of living, a lifestyle, I could really support."

Joining the club may have been her teacher's idea, but Conners ended up "loving it," and went on to start chapters at other schools she attended, including Foothill High School in Henderson. Now a senior, Conners has been named SADD's Student of the Year, and will travel the country as an ambassador for the organization. After her year of cross-country speaking engagements, Conners plans to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The application process included written essays, interviews and recommendations from teachers and counselors, Conners said. Sandy Heverly, SADD's Nevada state coordinator, said she had no doubt that Conners would leave her mark during her tenure as student ambassador and beyond.

"She's a phenomenal young lady and an incredible example to her peers," said Heverly, who has worked with Conners on various campaigns and rallies. "She gets the message across that you don't have to give up what you believe to fit in."

Conners' family moved to Southern Nevada two years ago from Maryland, where she had been appointed to the Baltimore County Substance Abuse Advisory Council. An honors student, she is also the photography editor for the yearbook and a senior instructor at the Australian Swim School in Henderson. She also founded Foothill's SADD chapter and served on the organization's national student advisory board.

In addition to the chance to travel, Conners said she's looking forward to meeting teenagers from other parts of the country as SADD's ambassador.

"It's an amazing honor to get the chance to talk to so many kids and spread the message," she said.