Surprise visit to D.A.R.E. graduates at St. Andrew

Intermountain Catholic

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Story and photo courtesy of Saint Andrew School

RIVERTON — Saint Andrew School's fifth grade was honored by the mayor of Riverton City, Bill Applegarth, at their D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony. Officer Lopez, the school's D.A.R.E. officer, presented the graduates to the mayor, acknowledging their commitment to stay drug and violence free. Throughout their year in the D.A.R.E. program, the students have learned to identify consequences and risks associated with drugs and alcohol use. They were also taught and used role-play to model the decision-making process, and ways to say no in spite of peer pressure and cultural and media influence.

Mayor Applegarth expressed his thanks to the students. "Riverton City is dedicated to our kids," he said.

The students were given the traditional D.A.R.E. T-shirt as a reminder of their promise to themselves to stay drug free.

Also recognized during the graduation were the two essay winners for the fifth-grade class. Miguel Flores' winning essay expressed his thanks to the program and said, "D.A.R.E. teaches young kids to say no to drugs and alcohol."

Alexis Jones also wrote an award-winning essay stressing the importance of making your own decisions in life, and not just going along with the crowd.

The graduation ended with a slideshow of the students in role-play activities, and commemorated their hard work and commitments to make good and healthy choices.