D.A.R.E. Program graduation ceremony motivates students
You can be anything you want to be...
Equipped with new life skills, all of the
district's fifth grade students graduated from the D.A.R.E.
Program Jan. 25 in a heart-warming and motivational ceremony.
The primary mission of the D.A.R.E. program, which is taught by
Port Jervis police officer Kelly Decker, is to provide students
with the information and tools they need to live
drug-and-violence-free lives. Additionally, the program is
designed to foster positive relationships between students and
the Port Jervis Police Department, parents, teachers, and others
in the community who can help keep children on the right path.
The graduation ceremony is held annually to mark the
culmination
of the fifth-grade educational program. But, thanks to Officer
Decker's dedication and creativity, the ceremony goes well
beyond the actual presentation of the D.A.R.E. diplomas. This
year's ceremony featured a choreographed dance routine and three
professional-quality videos - all of which stressed the
importance of making the right choices in life.
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| The
ceremony ended with an upbeat dance routine, "We're All
in This Together," choreographed by ASK Elementary
School music teacher Trish Eckert. |
This year, in addition to the diploma, each
graduate received the new D.A.R.E coin, which was designed by
Officer Decker to help remind students about what they learned
in the program. Encouraging the students to carry the coin in
their pockets, Decker said, "Every day, you have choices to
make. It's easy to give up. Just remember that you can be
anything you want to be in life - if you make the right
choices."
Class of 2007
Essay Contest Winners
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All Essay Contest winners
received an assortment of prizes that included a duffle
bag, water bottle, calculator, and Frisbee. |
The annual D.A.R.E. essay contest
provides all of the fifth graders with an opportunity to write
about what they learned in the program and what they will do to
avoid drugs and violence. Three award-winning essays were
selected from each fifth-grade class.
Congratulations to the
following Essay Contest winners:
Mrs. Corvino
Kendra Addy
Amber Husson
Riley Kean |
Mrs. Shaffer
Bailey Rhodes
Joshua Scheibner
Austin Trainor |
Mrs. Curcuruto
Matthew Aumick
Kaylyn Madden
Katelynn Mercilliott |
Mrs. Walsh
Justice Bethea
Shayna French
Jared Gessner |
Ms. Dillon
Kiersten Huffman
Frank Liranzo
Keri Thomson |
Mrs. Kellerman
Angel Bush
Alyssa Wagor
Starr Williams |
Mrs. Coleman
Alessandra Costantino
Stephanie O’Donnell
Mackenzie Trainor |
Mrs. Randolph
Nicholas Chuckran
Rosa Machado
Sheldon Van Wie |
Mrs. McElroy
Aimee Guillen
Jillian Rhoades
Reixnet Sheppard |
Students give "back" to the program
Following the presentation of the diplomas, Hamilton
Bicentennial Elementary School Principal Sharon Dickstein and
Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School Principal Donna Muro, along with
students from both schools, presented Officer Decker with an
"oversized" check, representing the money that the schools are
donating back to the D.A.R.E. Program. In addition to the money
raised by the schools, the D.A.R.E. Program receives support
annually for the graduation ceremony from numerous area
businesses.
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