Graduation ceremony DAREs students to be themselves

D.A.R.E. Program gives students reasons why not to do drugs
 

Officer Kelly Decker poses with the students who performed in the "Seasons of Love" presentation at this year's DARE graduation ceremony.

Equipped with the skills needed to resist drugs and alcohol, all of the district's fifth grade students graduated from the D.A.R.E. Program Jan. 24 in a motivational ceremony at Port Jervis High School.   

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.

Since it was first brought to the district in 1989, the D.A.R.E. Program has grown substantially - in size and focus. This year, 212 fifth graders completed the life-skills course. When they get to middle school, all of these students will receive additional instruction in the second level of the program.
 

Graduates entertain capacity crowd of family, friends, and local dignitaries.

The graduation ceremony - which is attended by local, regional, and state dignitaries - is held annually to congratulate the students on their accomplishment and motivate them to continue to make the right choices in life. Thanks to Officer Decker's dedication and creativity, the ceremony always goes well beyond the actual presentation of the D.A.R.E. diplomas. This year's ceremony featured a dance routine and three professional-quality videos - that reflected what the students learned in D.A.R.E., their hopes and dreams, and the importance of their circle of friendship.
 

For the second year, in addition to the diploma, each graduate received a D.A.R.E coin, which was designed by Officer Decker to help remind students about what they learned in the program. Inscribed on the coin are some of the people and programs - including family, school, sports teams, etc. - that are available to help students say no to drugs
 

Class of 2008 Essay Contest Winners

Some of this year's essay winners proudly display their prize.

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. All essay contest winners received an assortment of prizes that included a duffle bag, water bottle, frisbee, stuffed animal (D.A.R.E. mascot) and the game, "Are you Smarter than a Fifth Grader."

Congratulations to the following Essay Contest winners:

 
Students give "back" to the program

During the ceremony, 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 a donation for the D.A.R.E. Students at both schools raised money through bake sales and other fundraisers so they could give something back to the program. In addition to the money raised by the schools, the D.A.R.E. Program receives support annually for the graduation ceremony and student incentives from numerous area businesses.