Valle Catholic Fifth Graders graduated from the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Program on Wednesday, January 24th in a ceremony at the DuBourg Centre attended by family and friends.
Father Edward Nemeth, Pastor from the Church of Ste. Genevieve opened the evening with a prayer.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by 5th Grader, Carter Viox, son of Todd and Sarah Viox. Valle Catholic Grade School principal, Mrs. Jill Metzger offered opening remarks.
The DARE classes this year were under the instruction of Officers Jason Finch and Stephanie Memhardt from the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Department.
Other law enforcement who supported the program through their attendance at Graduation were: Sheriff Gary Stolzer, Chief Deputy Jason Schott, and Officer Jeff McCarty.
Guest speaker was Brandon Moulton, a recent graduate of a 12 Step Program. He spoke honestly to the students about the importance of making good choices.
Serving as DARE role models but unable to attend the ceremony were Kaydi Heil, Riley Wolk and Hannah Viox. These students visited the 5th Grade classrooms to talk to the students about social media and being responsible.
As an added requirement of the program, each student composes an essay explaining what they learned in DARE. The essays, written under the supervision of Mrs. Pam Basler, included a pledge to make wise decisions regarding drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
This year’s 1st Place winners:
5K: Camryn Hobbs, daughter of Troy and Jennifer Hobbs
5G: Amara Basler, daughter of Kurt and Stacey Basler
Cami and Amara each read their essays aloud to the gathering.
2nd Place winners:
5K: Ella Kraenzle, daughter of Tom Kraenzle and Bonnie Kraenzle
5G: Aubrey Wolk, daughter of Nick and Tiffany Wolk
3rd Place winners:
5K: Matthew Klein, son of Chris and Julie Klein
5G: Elizabeth Heberlie, daughter of Jeremy and Heidi Heberlie
The evening concluded with refreshments provided by the staff of the Sheriff’s Department.
DARE was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and has proven so successful that it is now implemented in 75 percent of our nation’s school districts and in more than 43 countries around the world.
Valle Catholic would like to thank the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Department for this opportunity provided for their students and the Sheriff Department’s commitment to the youth of Ste. Genevieve.