Just say NO!, not sometimes, not maybe

Photos and story by
STACY RICE,
Managing Editor
After a twelve-week long Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, twenty-three Drexel Elementary sixth graders were recognized at a D.A.R.E. graduation Monday night in the south gymnasium of the school. A large number of parents, grandparents, and siblings attended the ceremony.
The 23 “graduates” listened to remarks by guest speaker Major Jeff Weber of the Cass County Sheriff’s Department, Drexel Elementary School Principal Jeff Levy, and School Resource Officer (S.R.O.) and D.A.R.E. Instructor Corporal Kevin Tieman. All were recognized by Drexel’s very own S.R.O. and D.A.R.E. Instructor, Deputy Christine Eddleman.
Each student wrote a persuasive essay explaining what they had learned from the D.A.R.E. program and why to stay away from drugs, alcohol, and violence. Deputy Eddleman said her judges had a very hard time picking two winners this year as the quality of the essays was excellent. Eventually two students were chosen to read their essays during the program. Those students were...
Read the complete story in the December 11th edition.
PHOTOS: LeAnne Fordyce reads her winning essay, each student graduated the program with a certificate Monday night, and Jacob Antley, Josh Wheeler, Austin Crossman, and Jake McLellan "get down" with a groovy song during the ceremony. Also pictured: Drexel Elementary graduates of the D.A.R.E. program are: back row, Corporal Kevin Tieman, D.A.R.E. Instructor Deputy Christine Eddleman, Tristian Frenthrop, LeAnne Fordyce, Andrew Gilbert, Jeremy Smith, Alex Welch, Shea Rose, Jordan Moles, Lauren Campbell, and Austin Crossman. Second row, left to right, Major Jeff Weber, Drexel Elementary Principal Jeff Levy, Julia Weaver, Chasiti Clayton, Kaila Eberra, Jenna Bartholomew, Andrew Collins, Jacob Antley, Tyler Allen, and Josh Wheeler. Front row, left to right, Superintendent Dr. Judy Stivers, Jake McLellan, Rebekka Sutcliffe, Sarah Cawby, Jessica Rice, and Justin Frazee.