The William White Student Scholarship for NAADAC Student Members

A civic organization based in Des Moines, Iowa, Rock In Prevention uses fun, interactive workshops to teach adolescents strategies for drug, tobacco, and alcohol prevention. Rock In Prevention was founded by Pat McManus, a National Certified Addiction Counselor who belongs to NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals. The organization offers the William White Student Scholarship for NAADAC student members.

The William White Student Scholarship promotes student engagement in addiction research and highlights the importance of student research projects involving NAADAC programs, from accredited programs to higher education initiatives. NAADAC presents the scholarship to one undergraduate student and one graduate student on an annual basis. Selection is based on the student's research paper submission addressing the year's assigned topic. The awarded students receive a financial award of $1,000 for undergraduates and $2,000 for graduates. 

In order to apply for the scholarship, individuals must possess a student membership with NAADAC and have at least one full year of coursework to complete before graduation. They must also maintain a grade-point average of 2.7 or higher and include three letters of recommendation with their application. Eligible student papers follow guidelines for the applicant's grade level.

Reviewing Rock PLUS – What Students, Parents, and Teachers Are Saying

Founded in 1990, Rock In Prevention provides programs to help students live positive, healthy lives. The organization is presently involved in developing a mentoring program to train teachers, parents, and students to prevent bullying and the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. One of Rock In Prevention’s programs has been Rock PLUS, which involves teachers and parents using music to teach students crucial life skills such as problem solving, anti-bullying, media literacy, and anger management. The program’s reception has been positive among all three groups. 

Students have hailed the program as a fun and easy way to learn how to live drug-free, understand one another’s feelings, appreciate family, and treat others with respect. Students also enjoy the activities in the program such as drawing and singing along to songs. 

Parents have commended the program for providing a way to share their own similar experiences with their children. Through interactive school-home links, parents share their experiences with things such as peer pressure, allowing them to relate to their children and instill positive lessons on self-esteem, responsibility, media literacy, goal setting, and living drug-free. 

Teachers have lauded the program for its unique use of songs to facilitate learning at the auditory, visual, and kinesthetic levels. They have also praised the program for dealing with issues students face directly and designing tailored lessons to improve students’ decision-making and their perception of how their actions affect others.