D.A.R.E. Graduation

Helm Elementary ~ May 3, 2000
Deputy Maldonado | Essay Winners | Graduates  

The students made a banner to decorate for the Graduation Ceremony.

Deputy Maldonado, our D.A.R.E. Officer

Mrs. Van Ravenhorst, the sixth grade teacher.

D.A.R.E. Essays

One requirement of the D.A.R.E. program is that each student write a "D.A.R.E. Essay" telling what he or she has learned during the program. While each student who does this is clearly a "winner, " two students are selected each year as "Essay Winners." They receive a Medalion and tuition to D.A.R.E. Camp in the summer. This year's essay winners were Lupe and Juan.

Juan's speech
 

 

 

D.A.R.E.
by Juan

What I've learned in the D.A.R.E. program is that drugs can affect you in many different ways mentally and physically. What people don't realize is that you're hurting yourself and the people who love and care about you. In life, one thing you're always going to come around to is peer presure. Someone is always going to try to get you started and end-up getting you hooked. There are many ways in which people try to get your attention. For example, media has different advertisements that will try to catch your attention to influence you to try their product. The most important thing you need to know is that there are
many different ways to fit in, be cool, and be respected by others. One of the main things I like to do is play sports. I enjoy playing every sport, and I consider myself good enough to play the game.I also know that,if you take any kind of drugs and try to play sports, "You don't got game." I know for a fact that I would never take any kind of drugs. I am not willing to mess up my life. I am, and plan to be, my little brother's idol FOR LIFE! Since he looks up to me, I know I have taught him to be a leader, not a follower. The best way you can get away from anything that deals with drugs is by just saying "no" and walking away.

 

 

 

 

 D.A.R.E.
by Lupe

The D.A.R.E. program is cool! I like it a lot, especially because we learned to make the right decisions and how to live a prosperous life.

In the D.A.R.E. program, I learned lots of things. I learned to choose right from wrong and to do what I feel is right. I learned everyone has rights, and I learned how to respect them. I learned how to think about the consequen- ces of my actions. I learned to get involved in other things besides drugs, like sports or music.

However, the most important thing that I learned is to stay away from drugs. They will harm you mentally and physically.
They'll ruin your reputation. They could cause all kinds of negative things, and nothing positive. For example, tobacco can cause bad breath, yellow teeth, black lungs, gum disease, cancer, and, worst of all, DEATH!!!

I don't use drugs because they're not right for me. I have better things to do. Why waste my time on something that doesn't do me any good? I'd rather hang around with my friends, have fun, and live a good life.

I think that it is very important to stay away from drugs and violence so I can be a good example for my younger brother and sister. I really care about them, and I don't want them to get involved in drugs. I want them to be happy. SO PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM DRUGS!!!

 

Our Graduates

 

 

 

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