Fifth-graders complete DARE program

Two Noblesville police officers breathed a sigh of relief and said heartfelt good-byes to more than 530 fifth-graders they befriended through Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE).

From the cheers that resounded through the Noblesville Intermediate School gymnasium during the DARE graduation, it was obvious the program was a success despite the absence of two other officers who couldn't teach this year.

This year's class was the largest class to have ever graduated from the school's DARE program.
Typically, Noblesville has four officers who come to the school twice a week to teach the courses. This year only two officers, Edie Keesee and
Mike Widner, were able to teach.

The two got a pat on the back at the graduation ceremony for dedicating four days a week to educating the students about issues concerningdrugs, tobacco and alcohol.

"The DARE program is our priority - the kids are number one," Keesee said.

Widner, who has been a DARE officer since 1997, announced he wouldn't be coming back next year. He was honored with a wave of applause and a
plaque.

Brad Maynard, a 1992 Sheridan High School graduate and punter for the New York Giants, spoke for the second straight year during the ceremony. He congratulated the students for finishing the class.

He shared tragic stories of his family and friends who abused drugs, and encouraged the students to make good choices and work hard.

Evan was one of 19 students who won an essay contest. He had a chance to tell the crowd how much he liked having the officers
visit his school.

"Whenever the DARE teachers walk through the door, everyone gets excited because they always have a fun and educational lesson planned," Evan wrote in his essay.

Sara told her classmates how DARE inspired her.

"DARE has given me the strength I will need to turn and walk away from drugs," Sara said in her essay. "Drugs have no place in my life now, or
forever."

A Noblesville police dog named Cinder was welcomed by cheers of delight from the boys and girls as he demonstrated how he sniffs for drugs.

High School helpers Leigh and P.J. agreed the
canine was cool.

P.J., who was in the first class to go through the DARE program, said it's come a long way since then.

"We didn't really do a whole big think like this," he said.

(Reprinted with permission from The Daily Ledger.)