By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
Dexter’s fifth-graders pledged Wednesday afternoon to make good decisions and not get involved with alcohol, tobacco or drugs during their DARE graduation at Central Elementary School.
For the past 12 weeks, the students have been working with Dexter Police Office Lori O’Dell and taking Drug Abuse Resistance Education classes that have prepared them to live a life free of drugs and alcohol.
The classes use role-playing and other activities to show effective ways to resist peer pressure. Using their own personal experiences working with drug abusers on the street, officers are able to provide students with accurate information about alcohol and drugs, teach good decision-making skills, show them how to resist peer pressure and give them different ideas for alternatives to drug use and violence
At the program Wednesday O’Dell recognized Essay contest winners and runner-ups from each fifth grade classroom at Central. Students recognized include:
- Jill Allen’s Class: Jerrica Porter, winner; Brooke Hessling, medalist
- Jennifer Collin’s Class: Natalie Sitze, winner; Gabe Rimel, medalist
- Jessica Dement’s Class: Joe Rice, winner; Coby Powers, medalist;
- Nicole Guethle’s Class: Adi Schumer, winner; Hannah Copeland, medalist
- Sandy Stone’s Class: Madison Bryant, winner; Arianna Carter, medalist
- Kimmy Moore’s Class: Chris Graves, winner; Hallie Keathley, medalist
- Kara Lummukka’s Class: Emily Grobe, winner; Kelby Hill, medalist
O’Dell announced the overall winner was Adi Schumer and a special essay award given to Joslyn Walker. All classroom winners and Walker read their winning essay’s to the students and parents attending the graduation.
Recipients of the Daren Award for good spirit and participation were awarded to Malia Cook and Macy Roper. Dement’s class received the Attendance Award and Bolin’s class received the Milk Dance Award.
Guest speaker for the graduation was Mrs. Missouri, Rachel Watson. Joining Watson on the platform was Dexter City Administrator Mark Stidham, Assistant Police Chief Charles Sanders. Bernie DARE Office Andrew Johnson, former Dexter DARE office Danny Gentles, Sept. of Schools Dr. Thomas Sharp and Central Principal Cindy Bowman.
Each student completing the DARE program walked across the stage and received their DARE certificate from O’Dell and shook the hand of platform dignitaries.
The ceremony concluded with the premiere of a special video presentation created by Dement.
Jessica's Dement's DARE Presentation
