The marketing machine was cranked up into high gear at Bremerton High School on Wednesday, as the advanced fashion marketing class built the hype for this year’s “Dare Not To Swear” campaign. Music, cheers, a skit and a powerpoint presentation greeted the student body at a pep rally in the auditorium.

More than 1,000 students swore not to swear in the inaugural program at the school last year, not only pledging not to swear in school themselves, but to enthusiastically encourage others to clean up their language as well. The program has attracted national attention, with features posted on the NEA and Education World web sites, and written in Techniques Magazine. Some of the individuals who have expressed support for “Dare Not To Swear” include Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna, Vanna White and First Lady Laura Bush.

“Dare Not To Swear” received a $6,000 grant from the Milken Family Foundation, and a smaller grant from the Washington Education Association. The association also awarded the project with a 2007 WEA Human and Civil Rights Student Involvement Award.

The campaign will strive to top last year’s mark with a registration on Tuesday during the lunch periods. The fashion marketing students who created the program will man the registration tables, and the Kitsap Credit Union, Unique Experience and The Candy Shoppe will be on-hand to support the kick off and give away “Dare Not To Swear” merchandise which they have purchased in support of the anti-swearing project.