The St. Michael Parish fifth-grade class graduated from a 12-week Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program on Tuesday - a program designed to teach students good decision-making skills to help them avoid high-risk behavior and to focus more on their strengths and potential.
The ceremony, held at the school's Angelus Center, was hosted by Wheeling police Sgt. John Schultz - the school's D.A.R.E. instructor. Other speakers included Ohio County Magistrates Joe Roxby and Harry Radcliffe and Deputy Police Chief Martin Kimball.
During the ceremony, all the students received D.A.R.E. graduation certificates and T-shirts.
Article Photos
Photos by Scott McCloskey
The St. Michael Parish fifth-grade class gathers for a photo following a D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony.
The two winners of a class essay contest were Clare Miller and Tim Wensel. The students were also treated to a K-9 demonstration by Wheeling police Officer Rick Roxby and his K-9 partner, Dux.
"If it doesn't feel right to you, turn around and walk away," Radcliffe said while giving the students advice about what to do when confronted with high-risk behavior involving things like drugs and alcohol. "The best thing you could do is turn around and walk the other way."
Joe Roxby told the students "doing the right thing when nobody else is around" is demonstrating that they have good character.
"Good character will reward you throughout your entire life," he added.
D.A.R.E.'s primary mission is to provide children with the information and skills they need to live drug- and violence-free lives.
It is a collaborative program in which local law enforcement and schools join together to educate students about the personal and social consequences of substance abuse and violence.
It also establishes positive relationships between students and law enforcement officers, teachers, parents and other community leaders.