April 30, 2016


15 Minutes: Meet DARE grad and winning essayist Jillian Grzywna

Jillian Grzywna
Age: 11, fifth-grader at Columbia Middle School
Pursuit: Essayist

You won a DARE essay contest. What did you say?

Drinking can mask effects of an aneurism in some people because they can have blackouts and other brain trouble. Then the doctors might have trouble finding out what is really wrong with the patient. Heavy smoking and drinking can lead to cancers that happen when people aren’t that old and some kids might not be able to make memories with their grandparents who would not be that old, but they die early.

What else did you learn in the DARE program?

I learned about peer pressure and personal pressure and how hard it is and getting out of a tough situation. I would walk away and if they followed me I would still say no and still walk away.

Name some drugs.

Tobacco in cigarettes, pipes and cigars, alcohol, marijuana.

What are your best subjects in school?

Math and I’m not a big fan of science, but I got excited about it in the DARE program.

What do you like to do for fun?

I like to ride my dirt bike.


I want to work in an aquarium, and I won a year pass for my family to the Cleveland Aquarium.

Who’s in your family?

My mom and dad, Debi and Stan, and my brothers Gregory, 12 and Jeffrey, 9.

