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Frightening Facts from High Achievers

The 25th Annual Survey of High Achievers conducted by Who's Who Among American High School Students, reveals that students with the best grades don't necessarily make the best decisions when it comes to values, alcohol, and sex. Students surveyed had at least a "B" average, and 98 percent planned to attend college.

• 78 percent said they have cheated on school work. Of those, 66 percent did so because "it didn't seem like a big deal." And no wonder: 93 percent were never caught, and those that were said punishment was minimal.

• Over half of the students said they drink alcohol occasionally, 81 percent said it is easy to obtain, and 21 percent have driven a car after drinking.

• One quarter of the students surveyed said they have engaged in sexual intercourse. Of those, 62 percent said they always use a contraceptive, but 35 percent said they would engage in sex even if a condom was not available.

• More frightening, among those who would have sex without a condom, 80 percent felt they or their partner have little or no risk of contracting AIDS, and 62 percent felt there was little or no risk of pregnancy.