The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office D.A.R.E. program held its graduation for Antwerp Elementary fifth graders on December 7, 2016. Each student was required to write an essay before they could graduate. D.A.R.E. program consists of 12 lessons and the essay gives the students a chance to reflect back on the lessons.
Essays describe what they learned and how the D.A.R.E. program can help them make safe, responsible choices. “Once I receive all the essays, winners are selected and they receive a prize. This year the two essay winners were Aewyn McMichael and Haley Hammer,” says D.A.R.E. Deputy Mendez, “I am proud of each and every student and hope they will always be safe and responsible.” Each 5th grader who completed the essay received a Certificate of Completion at graduation as well.
“I truly appreciate our Paulding County Commissioners assisting the D.A.R.E program and covering majority of the costs beyond grant monies and donations,” said Sheriff Jason K. Landers.
Winning Essays:
MY D.A.R.E. REPORT
Many students in the U.S go through bullying, stress, peer pressure, and difficult situations. Many students might not know what to do, but there is a solution, it is D.A.R.E.. D.A.R.E. is a program that has a police officer come to talk to your class about making good choices. I have learned a lot in D.A.R.E. from Officer Mendez and I already have used what I learned in D.A.R.E. and I plan to use what I learned in D.A.R.E. in the future.
I have learned many useful things in the D.A.R.E. program. I’ve learned about making good choices such as the D.A.R.E. decision making model. Also, I have learned about defining the problem, risky situations, and making safe and responsible choices. Lastly I’ve learned about knowing my signs of stress and seeing signs of stress, peer pressure, communication, and so on. I have used D.A.R.E. in many ways. For example I’ve used D.A.R.E. by taking a split second to think about the choice I am going to make and what impact it will have on me and those around me. I plan to use what I’ve learned in D.A.R.E. in the future by hanging out with people who make good choices, not doing drugs or alcohol, and coping with stress by following the D.A.R.E. decision making model.
Office Mendez has taught so much in D.A.R.E.. And I am so glad that I am able to be in the D.A.R.E. program because I know what to do when it comes to me to make a choice. I would like to thank Officer Mendez for coming into our classroom and taking the time to teach us important skills about making good and safe responsible choices. Lastly, as Officer Mendez says, remember to be safe and be responsible.
By: Aewyn McMichael
D.A.R.E.
Stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education
Many kids in the U.S. are going through peer-pressure, stress, bullying, drugs, alcohol, and more. That’s where D.A.R.E. comes in handy. D.A.R.E. is a program where a police officer comes in and talks with classes about how to say no, and walk away, peer-pressure, and more. I have learned a lot in D.A.R.E., I have used D.A.R.E. in the past, and I plan to use it in the future.
I have learned a lot in the D.A.R.E. program. I have learned things like the D.A.R.E. decision making model, risks and their consequences, safe and responsible choices, peer-pressure, knowing and feeling stress and seeing other peoples signs of stress, evaluating your decision, communication and its styles, bullying, and non-verbal communication. I also learned about alcohol, drugs, smoking, and tobacco and how they are bad for you. I have learned so much in D.A.R.E.! I can’t wait to learn more!
Prior to the D.A.R.E. program I played basketball and didn’t like it and I did not want to play for this league and my mom signed me up and I really did not want to play in it, but then I went through and thought about what I did not like about it and stuff I did like about it and decided I would try it it one more year and I really enjoyed playing. I go to practice every Sunday night. I have used D.A.R.E. a lot and sometimes I don’t even know that I am using D.A.R.E. D.A.R.E. helps you not to make bad choices and do the right thing without getting hurt or losing any of your friends from risks that you had made. D.A.R.E. will help you make good choices.
I plan to use D.A.R.E. a lot more in the future by making the right safe and responsible choices, and not putting wrong things into my body. I plan to use what I learned in D.A.R.E. to stop bullying when I see it even if it means I will start getting bullied now, I will say no to putting bad things into my body. I will make smart decisions, I will look for signs of stress and try to relax and forget about what happened and move on. I will remember what drugs, alcohol, and smoking does to you, there are tons more things I can do in the future, but the one I need to remember is the D.A.R.E. decision making model, making a right choice and saying no when you know what happens or might happen. I will use D.A.R.E. a lot over these next years and even when I am older. D.A.R.E. will help you with a lot of choices and making the right choices.
D.A.R.E. can help you make a lot of the right choices and will help you to not hurt yourself and it will keep you safe. With D.A.R.E. kids will not be on drugs, alcohol, or they won’t smoke because D.A.R.E. will help them to make the right choices and they will not get hurt. D.A.R.E. will also help with saying no when it is the wrong thing to do. I have learned a lot in D.A.R.E., used D.A.R.E. a lot in the past, and I plan to use D.A.R.E. in the future. Now that D.A.R.E. has been around kids in the U.S. and all around the world will not be hurting themselves, will be making the right choices, will not be putting wrong stuff into their body, and lots more.
By: Haley Hammer
