Pubdate: Fri, 07 Apr 2006 Source: Cochrane Times-Post (CN ON) Copyright: 2006 Cochrane Times Post Contact: http://www.cochranetimespost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3833 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) D.A.R.E. -TAKING CONTROL OVER OUR LIVES Cochrane Times Post -- Aileen Wright English Catholic School held the Grade 6 D.A.R.E. graduation on March 31 with 27 students taking the steps to taking control over their lives. D.A.R.E. which stands for Drug Abuse, Resistance Education is an ongoing program offered to the grade six level by the DARE board of the Ontario Provincial Police. Constable Marc Klis, the instructor attends the schools once a week for a period of ten weeks. At the end of the ten week session, students are asked to write an essay on why they will not smoke, take drugs or alcohol. Alex Begin, Wesley Klis, Rachel Fleming and Kelsey Harps-Last were asked to read their essays to the parents, friends and students in attendance of the graduation. At each D.A.R.E. graduation, the mascot, the D.A.R.E. lion attends to help hand out the awards to the graduating class. This year, guest speaker, Councillor Pat Dorff and regional D.A.R.E. board member relayed to the graduating class the history of D.A.R.E. "Thirty million benefit from D.A.R.E. which was founded in 1993 and spans 54 countries around the world," said Dorff. The program, which is aimed at helping students make the right decisions also helps them to resist peer pressure. Dorff concluded by saying, "congratulations to all the graduates and enjoy the rest of your day." Constable Marc Klis spoke, reviewing the D.A.R.E. program and providing a slide presentation of the students during the lessons. "These lessons helped you to stay in charge, how to say no through role playing. It also helped to build friendships and to know what is a good friend. Remember, you have control over your lives, you have dreams, make them come true." Each of the graduating class received a t-shirt, D.A.R.E. lion and certificate and a well deserved handshake from Constable Klis and Pat Dorff. Those receiving their awards were: Candice Aquino, Jesse Archibald, Keenan Archibald, Alex Begin, Eloise Burke, Brandi Cheechoo, Brittany Cheff, Jordan Doyle, Craig Gale, Andrew Girard, Victoria Groulx, Nikki Guerard, Kelsey Harps-Last, Brandon Jansen, Todd Kirkbride, Wesley Klis, Vanessa Lamarche, Brodie Lortie, Myles Lotsberg, Illyana Peltier, Ryan Welch, Kyle Desbois, Keith Etherington, Rachel Fleming, Brooke Hutchinson, Paul Jolicoeur, Austin Tverdal. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman