The Shadow
ESSAY WINNERS — Jeter-Watson Intermediate School fifth graders, from left, Jalen Ward, Katie Woodward and Kate Barnett were the winners of the DARE essay contest at JWIS. As part of the curriculum, each student in DARE must write an essay. The winners were announced during the school’s DARE graduation on June 11. Each received a Walmart gift card. (Gavin Dressler Photo)
ESSAY WINNERS — Jeter-Watson Intermediate School fifth graders, from left, Jalen Ward, Katie Woodward and Kate Barnett were the winners of the DARE essay contest at JWIS. As part of the curriculum, each student in DARE must write an essay. The winners were announced during the school’s DARE graduation on June 11. Each received a Walmart gift card. (Gavin Dressler Photo)
RECEIVES CERTIFICATE — Jeter-Watson Intermediate School fifth grader Jakob Knick, right, receives his certificate for completion of the DARE program from Sgt. Todd Fry of the Covington Police Department. Jakob and other JWIS fifth graders received their certificates during the school’s June 11 DARE graduation. (Gavin Dressler Photo)
RECEIVES CERTIFICATE — Jeter-Watson Intermediate School fifth grader Jakob Knick, right, receives his certificate for completion of the DARE program from Sgt. Todd Fry of the Covington Police Department. Jakob and other JWIS fifth graders received their certificates during the school’s June 11 DARE graduation. (Gavin Dressler Photo)
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Seventy-six fifth graders from Jeter-Watson Intermediate School recently completed the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program.
The students capped off the program by holding a graduation ceremony June 11. Friends and family members of the graduates were in attendance to hear congratulatory remarks from speakers and see students receive certificates of completion.
Sgt. Todd Fry of the Covington Police Department, DARE instructor at JWIS, welcomed those in attendance and introduced guests.
Guests included Covington City Manager and Police Chief J.B. Broughman, and Dillon Fry, a graduate of Bath County High School. Dillon is Sgt. Fry’s son.
The DARE program began in Los Angeles in 1983, to deter children from substance abuse.
In addition to helping children resist drugs, alcohol and tobacco, the program has now been expanded to help deter children from violence and also to help resist peer pressure and make better decisions.
The Covington City School System began teaching DARE in 1987. Chief Broughman was the first DARE instructor for Covington.
“One of the bright spots of my day was always teaching DARE,” he said. “What DARE represents is one of the positive things we do for our children.”
The keynote speaker was Lt. Barry Rose, retired Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office deputy. Rose served as DARE instructor for the Alleghany County School System from 2000-2010, and is a past Virginia DARE Officer of the Year.
“(Sgt. Fry) has given you the tools to make the right decisions. Now it’s your responsibility to go out and make responsible choices,” said Rose. “I’ve seen a lot of young people destroy their lives with drugs, but I’ve also seen a lot of people overcome that problem.”
“Take those tools home, make the right decisions,” Rose told the DARE graduates. “This is not the end of the DARE program. This is the beginning of the rest of your lives.
Rose also offered comments to parents. “You are the ultimate role model for your children,” he said. “think about what impression you’re having on your children.”
As part of the DARE curriculum, each student in the course is required to write an essay on the dangers of substance abuse and violence, and what DARE means to them. The essays were judged and a winner was selected from each classroom.
Essay winners included Kate Barnett, Katie Woodward and Jalen Ward. Each winner received a gift card to Walmart.
“Set goals right now,” said Sgt. Fry to the DARE students in his closing remarks. “Don’t wait until you’re a senior in high school.”
“Who wants to go to college,” he asked as hands were raised throughout the students. “Who wants to to get a good job? Start now.”
“You can do what you want to do, but you’ve got to try,” he said in conclusion. “It’s up to you.”
Jeter-Watson Intermediate School fifth graders who completed DARE included Zoe Albany, Anna Grace Arritt, Terran Baker, Austin Boguess, Ethan Bunch, Christopher Wake, Dakota Crawford, Tyler Dawson, Alanna Dressler, Trey Feury, Natalie Griffith, Kaylee Hall, Robert Harmon, Jaycob Haynes, Cailin Johnson, Bailey Jones, Jakob Knick, Reese Myers, Zachary Ratliff, Kierstin Smith, Hunter Tallman, Blake Taylor, Jacob Taylor, Kimberly Via, Katie Woodward.
Also: Chyanne Ailstock, Trinity Ayers, Kate Barnett, Jacob Bowles, Shyon Brown, Jesse Browning, Kent Bullock, Lane Carroll, Sarah Donavan, Jackson Fonseco, Brady Groves, Faith Harmon, Pacey Harmon, Christian Helton, Audrey Holestin, Amiah Hunter, Abby McDaniel, Brandon Overton, Connor Parr, Michael Raether, Omarija Rice, Stacy Tacy, Peyton Webb, Shelby Wilken, Darian Williams, Kaitlin Wright.
Also: Anna Byer, Nathan Campbell, Adaliz David, Ethan Forbes, Cameron Frye, Zy’onah Garrison, Nicolas Henry, Rolando Medrano, Garrett Montgomery, Megan Motter, Morgan Myers, Andrew Nicely, Gustavo Perez, Sean Riddick, Ignacio Rodriguez, Karis Saville, Shawn Shiflett, Jaren Smallwood, Justice Smith, Azyriah Thompson, Zachary Tucker, Jalen Ward, Kelsey Whitmore, Jabari Williams, Hayleigh Wolfe.
