More than 240 Mars Area Centennial School fifth-graders graduated from the 2017-2018 DARE (Drug Abuse Resis-tance Education) program on Dec. 18.

 

“If we associate ourselves with good things and good people, we too will become good people,” Sgt. Harry Callithen of Butler County Sheriff’s Office told the students. Callithen, along with Sheriff Deputy Rachel Sporrer, coordinated the DARE program at the school.

 

DARE teaches students how to say “no” as well as how to recognize risk, value their perceptions and feelings, and make good choices. The program prepares students to act decisively, confidently and comfortably in difficult situations.

 

As part of the program, fifth-graders are asked to complete assignments; to write an essay about what they have learned; and to take a pledge to remain drug free. At the DARE graduation ceremony, awards were presented for the top essays in each classroom.

 

First place winners are Isabella Cavallo, Faith Gibbs, Lauren Harsch, Liam Hein, Lily Javor, Natasha Narasimhan, Ella Nicotra, Ella Roach, Zachary Rozman and Dominic Speranza; second place winners are Brianna Dolansky, Trinity Finn, Erin Kemp, Gregory Kleber, Ellie Koma, Margaret Lyker, Sarah Maloney, Jace Smith, Victoria Symchak and Gavin Wagner; and third place winners are Caleb Bennett, Hailey Duker, Breanna Goerl, Alex Harrison, Mackenzie Hart, Ava Hendricks, Ethan Painley, Wyatt Vingle, Lyra Whitcroft and Meagan Williams.

 

In addition, fifth-grader Zachary Rozman was selected as the overall winner and read his DARE essay aloud during the ceremony. For details, call (724) 625-2601.