More than 40 fifth grade students atStewart Street Elementary School graduated from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program on Friday, March 12.
The DARE program was created in 1983 and features visits to schools from law enforcement officers to warn kids about the dangers of drugs and peer pressure.
A ceremony was held for the graduates in the school’s media center beginning about 10 a.m., which featured words of encouragement from Sheriff Morris Young, who warned the students of the dangers of peer pressure and the consequences of poor choices.
Students Amaya Anderson and De’Awndrai Bunion delivered testimonials to their classmates about what they learned in the program.
Each student was then called by name to receive a certificate of completion for the program and a handshake from the deputies.
Principal Pamela Jones, Sergeant Chris Daniels, and the school’s DARE officers Deputy Francis Flores and Deputy Jamica Barfield also addressed the students, praising their commitment to the program.
Following the ceremony, students enjoyed cake and refreshments, along with the opportunity to pose with Daren the Lion, the program mascot.
Stephen Klein – Gadsden County News Service
grade students at Stewart Street Elementary School
during their graduation from the D.A.R.E. program.
Assistant County Administrator Georgette Daniels, Sheriff Morris Young, and Sgt. Chris Daniels.
Stewart Street Elementary School’s spring 2023 D.A.R.E.
graduates.
