On Tuesday, December 13th, 5th grade students from St. Mary Catholic Community School in Crown Point graduated from the DARE program. DARE, taught by Crown Point Police Officer Stanko Gligic, is a 10-week program which teaches students the importance of saying NO to drugs and alcohol, recognizing the signs of bullying and teaches positive ways to make good decisions.
At the culmination of the program, students were asked to write an essay about their experience in DARE class and each student was awarded a certificate. Bradley Januszewski, Braelyn LaMere, Sean Johansson and Gia Pesavento were selected to read their essays at graduation.
Officer Stanko Gligic, Braelyn LaMere, Bradley Januszewski, Sean Johansson, Ava O'Brien (bike winner), Principal Tom Ruiz, Mayor Pete Land, Gia Pesavento, City Clerk Dave Benson
Two fifth graders, Jacob Ford and Luke Howard said, “We learned about being an “upstander” (standing up for someone who is being bullied) and why it is so important to stay away from drugs and alcohol.” Overall, all students took away a valuable lesson from the DARE program. “The lessons that were taught in DARE will be carried with me and now I know how to say NO to peer pressure and make a good decision, “said student Katelynn Mucha.