Fifth graders at DeKalb West School received pins and certificates during the annual D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony held Thursday.
The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program was conducted by D.A.R.E. Instructor and Chief Deputy Don Adamson of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department.
Each student prepares an essay during the course and those with the best essays from each class are recognized and awarded. This year’s essay winners at DeKalb West School are Allison Eastes and Breanna Cothern. The fifth grade teachers are Jeanna Caplinger and Nadina Manganiello.
Eastes was the over-all winner and she read her essay during Thursday’s program. In addition to the award, prizes, and recognition, Eastes gets to keep “Daren the Lion” the D.A.R.E. Mascot and she received a $50 check from Judge Bratten Cook II, presented in his absence by Matt Boss.
In addition to Sheriff Patrick Ray and Chief Deputy Adamson, others on hand for the ceremony were DeKalb West School Principal Sabrina Farler, Assistant Principal Joey Agee, Interim Director of Schools Dr. Danielle Collins, Suzanne Slager on behalf of Circuit Court Clerk Katherine Pack, Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen, County Mayor Tim Stribling, Trustee Sean Driver, County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss and employees of the Sheriff’s Department.