York, Maine

Retro Bill brings more than laughs
York Weekly - March 2007

Retro Bill

YORK -- When Retro Bill entered Village Elementary School Thursday afternoon, one might have thought Elvis had entered the building -- and not just because of his four-inch pompadour and slick style.

"The hair is real," he said, jiggling his head from side to side. "It's not a wig, not a piece."

The students reacted as if a superstar was visiting their school with gleaming smiles, waves and, of course, Retro Bill's signature thumbs up.

Retro Bill, the official D.A.R.E. Safety Buddy, caught the first and second graders' attention with goofy antics that included funny faces, loud noises, silly string and rubber chickens.

Thursday. First and second graders were entertained by the antics of "Bill" who taught lessons of drug awareness and bullying. The program was made possible by efforts of York's D.A.R.E coordinator; York Police Officer Scott Cogger and the school's parent group.

But the hair (which requires a full hour of careful hair-spraying, he said) and the act that had students rolling on the gymnasium floor with laughter, were just props.

Retro Bill uses his humorous personality to grab kids attention and his message of how to deal with strangers, bullying and conflict resolution shines through.

His message Thursday was simple: treat yourself and others with respect and stay away from things that will keep you from your dreams.

"The kids know I am for real," said Retro Bill, whose real name is Bill Russ. "If you don't have real empathy and passion, they will see right through you. But my message is real and serious."

Russ is on the road 300 days a year performing as Retro Bill for children. He also has a series of videos that are shown in schools throughout the country.

His visit to York came during a three-week tour through Maine and was sponsored by School Resource Officer Scott Cogger and the Village Elementary parent group.

The elementary students certainly knew of Retro Bill.

Second grader Lily Reed said she couldn't wait to see him at school on Thursday. When Retro Bill asked her why that was, she said, "Because you're cool!"

While Russ was making a good living as a writer, producer and director in Hollywood, Calif., he said, "I wanted my life to mean something." He decided to dedicate his life to making a difference.

The best way for him to make that difference was by getting into the hearts and minds of youth, he said. Now he spends his days spreading the D.A.R.E. message, one he thinks is second to none.

Scarborough Police Department Officer and State D.A.R.E. Coordinator Joe Giacomantonio escorted Retro Bill on his tour through Maine. He said Retro Bill covers a wide variety of issues for children, with "a flare and flavor that we don't have as D.A.R.E. officers."

"He certainly makes an impression," Giacomantonio said. "There's a lot of craziness, but a good message in there too."

Russ said students validate his crazy performance by walking away smiling and laughing.

Though the important messages came across in an unusual way, they were certainly absorbed by students at Village Elementary School on Thursday.

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