FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – On Friday, March 13th, more than 4,500 students from over 60 schools across Broward County came together for the 3rd Annual Above the Influence March and Rally. A joint effort, created by United Way of Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse and Broward County Public Schools, the Above the Influence March and Rally celebrated students making the right decisions – resisting peer pressure, drugs and violence. Participating students marched over a mile from Pompano Beach Middle School to Pompano Beach High School.

The rally began at 10 a.m. at Pompano Beach Middle School with a welcoming address by Michaelle Pope, Executive Director for Broward County Public Schools Student Support Initiatives. Other notable speakers included Robert W. Runcie, Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, Kathleen Cannon, President & CEO of United Way of Broward County, Mayor Lamar Fisher of the City of Pompano Beach, Brian Kingsley, Acting Chief Academic Officer of Broward County Public Schools, Donna P. Korn, Chair, School Board of Broward County and Amalio Nieves, Director of Diversity, Cultural Outreach & Prevention Department. Speakers empowered and encouraged students to be themselves, not allow negative influences to affect them and stay “Above the Influence”.

“Our 3rd Annual Above the Influence March and Rally was an amazing event that showcased the spirit and power of the youth in Broward County,” said Kathleen Cannon, President & CEO of United Way of Broward County. “It’s inspiring to see students stand up for what they believe in by saying no to alcohol and other drugs. The March and Rally exceeded all of our expectations this year. United Way of Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse and all of its partners are excited to continue this event for many years to come. ”

Before the march took place from Pompano Middle School, students from Pompano Beach High School ROTC led the crowd in the Pledge of the Allegiance. Dillard High School student, Tyrie Fuellon, then performed the National Anthem. A special thanks was given to radio station 103.5 “The Beat” and DJ Papa Keith who posed for pictures with students and spun the hottest tunes to pump up students before and after the March.

After the march ended at Pompano High School, students enjoyed free lunch along with live music and performances by various organizations including step team dancers, cheerleaders, youth poets from the Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry Network, part of the Jason Taylor Foundation; marching bands, and other local talent.

In addition to the lead agencies for the event, collaborating partners included the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Baptist Health of South Florida, Florida Health Broward County-Tobacco Free Florida, Children’s Services Council of Broward County, Broward Health, Memorial Healthcare System, Anti-Defamation League, Hanley Center, MADD Florida, Health Foundation of Florida, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Florida Department of Children and Families, Icenter Community Foundation, Rotary Club of Pompano Beach, Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce, Action Promotion, Anti-Defamation League, Shane Le Mar Productions, and the Sun-Sentinel.

Above the Influence is a national movement to encourage children to be themselves and not allow negative influences to affect them. The Above the Influence March and Rally takes the concept even further, urging children to persevere in the face of obstacles and to celebrate the wonderful opportunities that abound. For more information on Above the Influence, please visit www.ati2014.org.

About United Way of Broward Commission on Substance Abuse
Celebrating its 25th year in the community, United Way of Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse (UWBCCSA) is a broad-based substance use/abuse coalition dedicated to empowering its diverse community to live healthy and drug-free. Its primary role is to serve as a coalition-building organization that brokers partnerships between federal, state and local agencies to foster, develop and enhance integrated counter-drug efforts throughout Broward County and to search for innovative and effective ways to address the issue of substance use/abuse. United Way of Broward County’s Commission on Substance Abuse has been the lead agency in applying multiple strategies to reduce underage drinking, Like UWBCCSA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/uwbccsa.

About Broward County Public Schools
Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the sixth largest public school system in the United States and the second largest in the state of Florida. BCPS is Florida’s first fully accredited school system since 1962. BCPS has over 260,000 students and approximately 175,000 adult students in 238 schools, centers and technical colleges, and 99 charter schools. BCPS serves a diverse student population. Students are from 204 different countries and speak 135 different languages. For more information about BCPS, visit browardschools.com, follow us on Twitter @Browardschools, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/browardschools, and download the free BCPS mobile app.