One hundred and four middle school students attended the 10th Annual PRIDE Bermuda Conference yesterday at the Berkeley Institute with the theme: 'What you know 'Bout Dat?'

PRIDE Bermuda was started almost 20 years ago to prevent the abuse of drugs and alcohol by educating and empowering youth and adults in Bermuda.

The two-day conference at Berkeley is an extension of their Youth to Youth concept because it is for middle school students, but is facilitated by senior students.

PRIDE has 13 senior student facilitators and for the two-day conference they also have 15 senior student volunteers

Danae Trott, a senior student at CedarBridge, said: "It's about drugs and things that the youth don't know. They ask questions and we inform them."

Yesterday, the first day of the conference, was run by professionals from Transport Control, Teen Services, the Police and featured Jahkimmo Smith a Bermudian Pastor who preaches in the United States.

Dalisa Johnston, a senior student said: "His message was to pursue who we are and to put our best foot forward. Even if you're not from the best background you can become great."

Jahni Lynch, a Spice Valley student, said his favourite workshop was titled 'Crash and Burn' by Transport Control and they told him to wear a helmet and not to drink and drive.

The 'Pull Your Pants' workshop was Bermuda Institute student Khaeljah Burgess's favorite because: "It told you to make wise choices and what you choose today determines your tomorrow."

Susann Burcher, Deputy Director of PRIDE, said Wednesday's workshops would be more fun because they would be led by the student facilitators.

They include one titled 'Flava Flave' where students will be encouraged to invent fun drinks rather than alcoholic ones and one titled 'Shine on You,' a modelling workshop designed to bring the students' personalities out through skit performance and photography.

Students appeared thrilled with the one day of workshops, excited for tomorrow and all were ready to return next year.